Key facts
- US President Donald Trump signed legislation extending sanctions on Iran to 2031 and expanding restrictions on Russia.
- Explosions were heard in Riyadh, with Saudi civil defence issuing and withdrawing alerts.
- Yemen's Houthis reported 26 Saudi strikes in their controlled areas.
- Turkey revoked the operating license of Iran's Bank Mellat.
- Saudi Arabia will not provide crude oil allocations to at least two European customers in October.
- Three Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip.
US President Donald Trump has signed into law legislation extending existing US sanctions on Iran to 2031 and expanding sanctions, tariffs, and other restrictions on Russia. This move intensifies economic pressure on Tehran, as evidenced by Turkey revoking the operating license of Iran’s Bank Mellat, which remains on the US Treasury’s sanctions list.
In the Middle East, explosions were heard in Riyadh on Saturday, with Saudi civil defence authorities issuing and later withdrawing alerts for several provinces. Yemen’s Human Rights Ministry accused the Houthis of attacking and looting Saudi-funded humanitarian and medical facilities in al-Khawkhah and other areas along the western coast. The Houthis, in turn, stated that Saudi Arabia had launched 26 strikes against areas under their control in the past 24 hours.
Saudi Arabia has informed at least two oil refining customers in Europe that they will not receive crude oil allocations in October, signaling potential impacts on global energy markets due to ongoing conflicts. Meanwhile, three Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, according to Al Jazeera citing local hospital sources.
Former Palestinian Authority minister Sufian Abu Zaida stated he acted as a go-between for Israel and Hamas before October 7, 2023, and plans to disclose a message from Yahya Sinwar. Yemen’s foreign minister, Afrah Alzouba, asserted that Yemen is not an "Iranian bargaining chip" and its future will be determined by Yemenis. Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem al-Shehri of the Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition emphasized that protecting international waterways is a shared responsibility and warned that any threat to maritime security will be deterred. US Central Command reported redirecting 105 commercial vessels since enforcing a naval blockade against Iran.