Houthi forces launched missile attacks on Saudi oil sites along the Red Sea coast on Saturday, targeting state-owned oil giant Aramco. The strikes occurred in the ports of Jizan and Yanbu, locations critical to Saudi energy infrastructure and global shipping routes. While the attacks caused damage to storage facilities in Jizan, Saudi air defenses successfully intercepted ballistic missiles aimed at the Yanbu refinery.
For the first night in two weeks, the United States did not launch retaliatory air strikes on Iranian soil. This pause ends a streak of 13 consecutive nights of escalating military action following an interim deal intended to end hostilities in the region. Washington has not provided a specific explanation for the abrupt halt in operations.
Hossein Kermanpour, a spokesperson for the Iranian Health Ministry, commented on the situation on social media. He wrote that it “seems that our dear Iran had a peaceful night last night,” referencing the absence of Iranian attacks on Gulf neighbors. Reports indicate that no attacks were launched from Iran on Saturday, breaking a pattern of daily retaliation against the US military campaign.
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Axios, citing two unidentified sources, reported that President Donald Trump directed the military not to conduct new strikes against Iran on Friday. A senior US official told Reuters that Trump has always been clear about his preference for diplomacy, noting that he has demonstrated the consequences of failing to engage in serious negotiations.
Spreading conflict in Yemen
Despite the lull in the Gulf, the renewed fighting between Iran-aligned Houthis and Saudi Arabia threatens to reignite Yemen’s civil war. The Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, stated that the group successfully struck Aramco sites in Jizan and Yanbu. Video verified by Reuters showed a large column of smoke rising from the Aramco refinery in Jizan.
Two Asia-based trading sources confirmed to Reuters that they had been informed of potential damage to fuel and oil storage sites at Jizan. Aramco did not respond to requests for comment. In Yanbu, the US-made Patriot battery operated by the Greek military under a bilateral agreement with Riyadh intercepted the incoming missiles.
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The conflict has escalated as an interim truce that paused the civil war collapsed two weeks ago. Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi has declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia over the past week, and Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi said all Saudi oil facilities could be targets.
Global oil prices soared this week, with Brent crude spiking