Doomsday Clock Ticks Closer as US Warns of Iranian and Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia
The US Mission in Saudi Arabia has urged Americans to reconsider travel to the kingdom amid threats of Iranian and Houthi missile and drone attacks, contributing to the doomsday clock ticking closer in a region marked by escalating hostilities.
US Travel Advisory for Saudi Arabia
The US Mission in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday urged Americans to reconsider travel to the kingdom, citing risks from Iranian and Houthi missile and drone attacks, armed conflict and terrorism. [1] In a post on US social media company X, the mission shared a travel advisory maintaining Saudi Arabia at Level 3, or reconsider travel, while designating the area along the Yemen border Level 4, or do not travel. [1] The US travel advisory system has two lower levels: Level 1, which calls for normal precautions and Level 2 for increased caution. [1] Under the advisory, US government employees working in Saudi Arabia require special authorization to use any airport in the country and are prohibited from traveling within 20 miles (32 kilometers) of the Yemeni border. [1] They also require special authorization to travel to the provinces of Jizan, Asir and Najran, as well as the cities of Qatif, Taif and Yanbu. [1] The mission advised Americans in Saudi Arabia to take similar precautions. [1] The advisory said that since the outbreak of hostilities between the US and Iran on Feb. 28, there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran. [1] It said commercial flights remain operational from Saudi Arabia but have at times faced significant disruptions. [1] It said Iran and the Iran-backed Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks into Saudi Arabia, targeting cities, infrastructure, airports, military bases, diplomatic sites and energy facilities. [1] The advisory said falling debris from intercepted missiles and drones also poses a risk and warned US citizens against photographing, filming or sharing information about interceptions or affected sites. [1] It cited terrorism, exit bans and the enforcement of Saudi laws governing social media activity among the risks facing travelers. [1] The advisory follows security alerts issued by the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia in recent days amid attacks and threats targeting the kingdom. [1] The embassy renewed its security alert on Monday for a third consecutive day following attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and an attack targeting King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. [1] The embassy warned of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruptions and urged US citizens to exercise caution at major airports. [1] Saudi authorities have reported missile and drone attacks targeting airports and other sites in the kingdom in recent days, while the Houthis have threatened further attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities. [1] A Saudi-led coalition, meanwhile, has intensified military operations against Houthi positions in Yemen, including airstrikes in the capital, Sanaa. [1]
Recent Attacks and Saudi-Houthi Escalation
Saudi Arabia has faced recent attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, prompting renewed US embassy security alerts and warnings of flight disruptions. [1] The embassy renewed its security alert on Monday for a third consecutive day following attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and an attack targeting King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. [1] The embassy warned of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruptions and urged US citizens to exercise caution at major airports. [1] Saudi authorities have reported missile and drone attacks targeting airports and other sites in the kingdom in recent days, while the Houthis have threatened further attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities. [1] An attack on Saturday killed 13 people and wounded more than 300, while another strike on Sunday killed a Pakistani resident and injured 11 others, according to Saudi authorities. [5] The advisory said falling debris from intercepted missiles and drones also poses a risk and warned US citizens against photographing, filming or sharing information about interceptions or affected sites. [1] It said commercial flights remain operational from Saudi Arabia but have at times faced significant disruptions. [1] It said Iran and the Iran-backed Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks into Saudi Arabia, targeting cities, infrastructure, airports, military bases, diplomatic sites and energy facilities. [1] A Saudi-led coalition, meanwhile, has intensified military operations against Houthi positions in Yemen, including airstrikes in the capital, Sanaa. [1] Saudi Arabia intervened militarily in Yemen in March 2015, leading a coalition that included the UAE in support of the internationally recognised government after the Houthis seized Sanaa. [5] A UN-brokered truce in April 2022 substantially reduced large-scale hostilities, but renewed fighting erupted in July this year. [5] The latest escalation has seen Houthi forces make territorial gains along Yemen's Red Sea coast, prompting a Saudi-backed government counteroffensive and renewed attacks across the Saudi-Yemeni border. [5] Saudi Arabia has sought greater US assistance against the Houthis. [5]
US issues travel warning for Saudi Arabia amid Iranian and Houthi attack threats. — Source: newsmax
Trump Administration Statements on Iran and Houthis
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States will "make a decision on Iran," describing its economy as failing as Tehran threatens retaliation against American forces and Gulf allies if Washington renews attacks. [2] Trump described Iran's economy as failing and said the US will make a decision on Iran amid Tehran's threats of retaliation against American forces and Gulf allies. [2] President Donald Trump blasted Iran-backed Houthi rebels Tuesday for launching deadly attacks against Saudi Arabia and attempting to drive up global oil prices ahead of the November midterm elections. [3] He vowed that he would not forget their actions. [3] Trump blasted the Houthis for launching deadly attacks against Saudi Arabia and attempting to drive up global oil prices ahead of the November midterm elections, vowing not to forget their actions. [3] The Houthis are behaving in a manner that has drawn direct presidential rebuke over impacts on Saudi Arabia and attempts to influence oil prices. [3]
Israeli Outreach and Saudi Rejection
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sought Saudi Arabia's approval to join its military campaign against Yemen's Houthis, but Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has rejected the proposal over fears of a domestic backlash, according to an Israeli media report. [5] Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Netanyahu has been pursuing Riyadh's consent through US intermediaries as fighting between Saudi-backed Yemeni forces and the Houthis intensifies. [5] Citing an unnamed diplomatic source, the newspaper said the Saudi crown prince opposed direct Israeli participation because cooperation with Israel could provoke anger among the Saudi public. [5] Another source familiar with the discussions said Netanyahu hoped joint military action against the Houthis would strengthen relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia and potentially pave the way for a normalisation agreement. [5] Saudi authorities have not publicly commented on the reported proposal. [5] Netanyahu condemned Saturday's attack and offered condolences to the victims' families, despite Israel and Saudi Arabia having no formal diplomatic relations. [5] The Israeli leader has long regarded normalisation with Saudi Arabia as a major diplomatic objective, building on the Abraham Accords through which Israel established formal relations with several Arab states. [5] However, negotiations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which had advanced before October 2023, were derailed by Israel's war and genocide in Gaza. [5] Riyadh has repeatedly insisted that normalisation must be linked to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, a position at odds with Netanyahu's opposition to Palestinian statehood. [5] The reported Israeli overture suggests Netanyahu is attempting to use Saudi Arabia's confrontation with the Houthis to revive prospects for rapprochement, despite the continuing political obstacles presented by the Palestinian question. [5] Israel has previously conducted its own military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, meaning the latest proposal concerns participation in the Saudi-led campaign rather than Israel's first involvement in the conflict. [5] Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has rejected an Israeli request, conveyed through US intermediaries, to join the war against the Houthis over fears of domestic public backlash. [5]
US issues travel warning for Saudi Arabia amid Iranian and Houthi attack threats. — Source: newsmax
Iraqi Political Developments
Iraqi political parties have agreed on nine ministers and four deputy prime ministers, with parliament set to vote on Thursday after months of deadlock. [4] The agreement could end more than five months of political deadlock that has prevented Zaidi from completing his cabinet since taking office in May. [4] Iraq's political parties have reached a final agreement with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to complete his government, with parliament expected to vote on nine outstanding ministerial appointments and four deputy prime ministers on Thursday, political sources told The New Arab. [4] The agreement could end more than five months of political deadlock that has prevented Zaidi from completing his cabinet since taking office in May, amid disputes between political blocs over the distribution of ministries and the selection of candidates. [4] Kareem Aliwi, a lawmaker from the ruling Coordination Framework, told TNA that a final agreement had been reached following talks between Zaidi, the alliance and representatives of other political parties. [4] In the past few hours, following a meeting between the Coordination Framework and Zaidi, and in agreement with our partners in the other political blocs and parties, a final agreement was reached to hold a parliamentary session this Thursday to complete the cabinet. [4] He added that parliament would also vote on four deputy prime ministers whose appointments had been agreed between the prime minister and the relevant political blocs. [4] The four candidates are Laith al-Khazali, brother of Qais al-Khazali, leader of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq movement; Mohammed Tamim, a former planning minister; Mohsen al-Mandalawi, head of the Al-Asas Iraqi Coalition; and Fares al-Barifkani, a former chairman of parliament's Health and Environment Committee. [4] Aliwi also revealed the nine candidates selected to fill the remaining vacant ministries: Safaa al-Kinani: Youth and Sports; Yasser al-Maliki: Interior; Haider Bahaa: Higher Education; Mohammed al-Moussawi: Labour; Nayef al-Shammari: Defence; Yassin al-Ithawi: Culture; Mohammed Ali al-Nuaimi: Planning; Ali al-Dakhili: Tourism; Mohammed Sahib al-Darraji: Digital Technology. [4] According to Aliwi, all nine candidates have received the approval of Zaidi and the political parties involved in the negotiations. [4] These names have been approved by Zaidi and all political forces and will be passed during Thursday's session without any disagreements or obstacles. [4] Salah al-Kubaisi, a senior figure in the Sunni Sovereignty Alliance, separately confirmed to TNA that an agreement had been reached to convene parliament on Thursday to complete the cabinet and appoint the deputy prime ministers. [4] Kubaisi said the breakthrough followed a series of negotiations and understandings between political parties aimed at overcoming the disputes that had delayed the formation of the full government for more than five months. [4] He described the planned parliamentary vote as an important step towards ending political paralysis and enabling the government to carry out its responsibilities. [4] The agreement, he added, demonstrated the importance of political consensus and the need to translate negotiations into concrete parliamentary action. [4] Iraq's parliament granted confidence to Zaidi's government in mid-May, approving just 14 of the proposed 23 ministers. [4] The remaining nine portfolios were left vacant as political factions failed to agree on candidates and the distribution of ministerial posts. [4] In early September, the ruling Coordination Framework announced that an agreement on the remaining ministries was close and that parliament could vote on the nominees within a week. [4] However, that deadline passed without a breakthrough, forcing political leaders to resume negotiations. [4] Repeated attempts to reach a compromise subsequently stalled over disagreements concerning key ministries, with political influence and electoral calculations further complicating efforts to complete the cabinet. [4] Thursday's planned vote would mark the first major breakthrough in the months-long dispute, potentially allowing Zaidi to begin governing with a full ministerial team for the first time since his appointment. [4]
Broader Regional Implications Amid the Doomsday Clock
The interconnected threats, diplomatic maneuvers, and political moves across Saudi Arabia, Iran, Yemen, Israel and Iraq reflect the ongoing tensions without speculating beyond reported facts. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] The US advisory maintains Saudi Arabia at Level 3 (reconsider travel) and the Yemen border area at Level 4 (do not travel), citing risks from Iranian and Houthi attacks, terrorism, armed conflict, falling debris from intercepted missiles and drones, exit bans, and Saudi social media laws. [1] Since the outbreak of hostilities between the US and Iran on Feb. 28, Iran and Iran-backed Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi cities, infrastructure, airports, military bases, diplomatic sites and energy facilities. [1] Trump described Iran's economy as failing and said the US will make a decision on Iran amid Tehran's threats of retaliation against American forces and Gulf allies. [2] Trump blasted the Houthis for launching deadly attacks against Saudi Arabia and attempting to drive up global oil prices ahead of the November midterm elections, vowing not to forget their actions. [3] Saudi Arabia has faced recent attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, prompting renewed US embassy security alerts and warnings of flight disruptions. [1] Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has rejected an Israeli request, conveyed through US intermediaries, to join the war against the Houthis over fears of domestic public backlash. [5] Iraqi political parties have agreed on nine ministers and four deputy prime ministers, with parliament set to vote on Thursday after months of deadlock. [4] The agreement could end more than five months of political deadlock that has prevented Zaidi from completing his cabinet since taking office in May. [4]
What to watch next: Parliament in Iraq is expected to vote on Thursday on the remaining ministerial appointments and deputy prime ministers, while the US advisory continues to highlight risks from ongoing missile and drone threats in Saudi Arabia.
