Saudi Arabia Issues Air Raid Alerts as Tensions Escalate Across Middle East

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia issued emergency alerts warning of a “hostile aerial threat” across the kingdom, including the capital Riyadh, amid heightened tensions with Iran-backed Houthi forces in neighboring Yemen, the Associated Press reported.

At least one explosion was heard in Riyadh following the alert, which was the first such warning issued in the Saudi capital since the latest escalation. Saudi authorities reported no casualties or damage and did not immediately specify what prompted the alerts. The kingdom has previously reported intercepting missiles and drones launched by the Houthis.

Meanwhile, Iran’s state television reported that authorities executed a man identified as Hossein Pedram after he was convicted of spying for Israel’s Mossad. Iranian authorities accused him of sharing classified information concerning sensitive military sites in Isfahan province.

The U.S. military also said that oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz had continued. U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper said the military had supported the movement of about 1 billion barrels of oil through the strategic waterway over the past two months. However, shipping monitors said traffic remained significantly below prewar levels.

In Gaza, Palestinian health officials said Israeli strikes killed three men, including a man in Gaza City and another in the Jabaliya refugee camp. Israeli authorities said their forces had targeted military operatives. Hospital officials later reported another death and injuries following a strike on a civilian vehicle in Gaza City.

Israel also carried out airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon after two Israeli soldiers were wounded when their vehicle struck an explosive device in an area occupied by Israeli troops, according to the Israeli military.

Separately, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed the safety of commercial shipping and uninterrupted energy supplies in a telephone conversation. Pakistan highlighted concerns over the impact of disruptions on developing countries and global supply chains.

In Syria, 11 soldiers were killed in an explosion at an arms depot in the eastern province of Deir el-Zour, while several others were wounded, according to Syrian authorities and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The developments came as children returned to schools across Gaza, with the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees saying more than 280,000 children were attending classes in tents and damaged school facilities.