Saudi-led coalition says it downed Houthi missiles and drones

The attacks come as senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Pakistan and Iran meet in Tehran to de-escalate regional tensions that have reignited the Yemen conflict. Major-General Turki al-Maliki, the coalition spokesman, confirmed the interceptions on Tuesday, stating the missiles targeted the kingdom's Eastern Province while the drones were headed toward southern regions. No casualties were reported.

Before the interceptions, Saudi Arabia's Civil Defence agency had issued emergency alerts in the Eastern Province and the Al Kharj governorate. After lifting them, authorities urged residents to avoid crowds, refrain from filming and call 911 in emergencies. The coalition had also reported destroying three additional drones over Riyadh and southern regions on Monday evening.

Regional peace efforts

The attacks occurred during a diplomatic mission in Tehran aimed at calming regional tensions that escalated after the United States and Israel launched a war on Iran in February. Saudi Arabia sent its defense minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, while Pakistan dispatched army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Turkiye sent intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin.

The visit was meant to open negotiating channels to 'prevent the return of military escalation'

Iranian state media published pictures of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, attending the meetings. In a joint statement, the four countries agreed to continue dialogue to strengthen cooperation for regional peace and security.

Escalating conflict

The fighting has intensified since the Houthis seized strategic areas along Yemen's Red Sea coast in a lightning offensive last month, prompting a Saudi counteroffensive. The group has struck Saudi airports, ports and oil facilities, including an attack on King Khalid International airport in Riyadh that killed at least 13 people and wounded over 300.

Earlier on Monday, the Houthis claimed attacks on Riyadh airport and crude oil pumping stations in Saudi Arabia's west and east. The coalition responded by destroying five tunnels used by the Houthis to store ballistic missiles, four missile launchers and a missile depot. The wider conflict has also restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, driving up oil and petrol prices.

Egypt, a major Saudi partner, has moved closer to the conflict, with its Parliament authorizing the military to help defend the kingdom on Monday. Pakistan and Qatar had previously led mediation efforts between the US and Iran, producing an interim peace agreement in June that collapsed when fighting resumed.