The deadlock remains and the situation is deteriorating at a geometric rate in the Persian Gulf and Yemen. New reports indicate that Israel has finalized plans for new attacks on Iran, which responded by stating, “If they hit us… we will hit everything, the entire Gulf and the Mediterranean will burn.” On a diplomatic level, Iran states that there is no point in dialogue with the US, while Donald Trump says he is ready to negotiate with Iran, but believes Iran is responsible for the FlyDubai plane incident. Meanwhile, severe clashes between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis intensify, with Aramco suffering heavy strikes and the Americans sending 200 specialists to Saudi Arabia for reinforcements, alongside deployments to Britain and the Fairford base. Beyond Iran, the Yemeni Houthis are also being targeted. Heavy explosions occurred once again in the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran strikes tankers that do not follow orders, causing the overall situation to continually worsen.

Deadlock: Israel prepares to attack Iran – Multiple explosions in Hormuz – Trump points blame for FlyDubai and Fairford

Israel is preparing to attack Iran, according to Israeli media outlets. At the same time, several explosions occurred in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran attacked tankers that violated maritime navigation corridors. US President Donald Trump stated that he is ready to negotiate with Iran, but believes Iran is responsible for the FlyDubai aircraft incident. The US Treasury Secretary claimed that the “economic isolation” campaign is showing results, as the value of the Iranian rial, the national currency, has reached its lowest point in history. Iran did not load crude oil onto tankers last month, and even Iran’s top security official admitted that the country is facing one of the most difficult periods in its history. Trump added that the Saudi-Yemeni offensive against Ansar Allah or the Yemeni Houthis will proceed well. “What is currently driving up gasoline prices is no longer the Strait of Hormuz,” he noted.

He added that unprecedented volumes of oil pass through the strait almost daily. The US President stated that the war with Iran will end very soon anyway. The issue of high gasoline prices is being driven by Ukraine striking Russian oil refineries, according to Trump. Trump also stated that the withdrawal of 12 American bombers from Britain and the Fairford base took place following a threat, adding that “we know who is behind this threat.” If Iran has transferred drones to England, it will pay a very heavy price, he warned.

Secret Saudi plan to target the Kaaba with Lucas drones revealed

Regional sources reported that the Saudi Royal Security Group is planning to launch US-made Lucas drones toward Mecca, targeting the Kaaba and residential areas surrounding the Grand Mosque. The plan involves targeting several hotels near the Grand Mosque, including the Anjum Makkah and Pullman Zamzam hotels, as well as areas surrounding the Holy Site.

New escalation: US sends 200 intelligence specialists to Saudi Arabia for Houthi conflict

Meanwhile, the US role in the war between Saudi Arabia and Ansar Allah or the Houthis in Yemen is expanding rapidly. The New York Times reported that more than 200 US intelligence analysts and military planners are working inside Saudi command centers. According to the report, these forces are engaged in intelligence analysis and target selection for Saudi-backed Yemeni forces fighting Ansar Allah or the Yemeni Houthis on the ground. The New York Times also reported that the United States is providing aerial refueling support for Saudi defense patrols, demonstrating that American support for Saudi Arabia extends beyond political backing to direct operational and logistical dimensions.

Houthis warn: Saudi Arabia will turn into hell

The armed forces of Ansar Allah or the Yemeni Houthis have also announced a shift in their operational approach. They announced that they will expand operations in Saudi airspace, a warning that could signal an increase in drone or missile strikes against targets inside Saudi territory. The attack on Jeddah’s oil facilities, alongside the bombardment of residential areas in Sanaa, highlights two distinct yet interconnected dimensions of the war: the pressure applied to Saudi Arabia’s vital infrastructure and the growing human cost in Yemen. Any successful strike on Saudi oil facilities could impact energy markets and the security of oil exports. On the other hand, continued strikes on urban areas increase the risk of rising civilian casualties and worsening the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

The entry or more direct involvement of foreign actors could transform the war in Yemen from a regional conflict into a broader crisis. The US presence in intelligence services and logistical support, the role of Saudi Arabia, and the potential entry of Pakistan and Turkey, alongside the reaction of Yemeni forces, indicate that the battlefield is growing increasingly complex. However, certain reports regarding the attack on the Jeddah refinery and Pakistan’s entry into the war should be treated with caution until official details are published and confirmed. What remains clear is the escalation of tensions and the risk of a wider war in the region—a conflict whose humanitarian consequences continue to weigh heavily on the people of Yemen.

Houthis strike King Khalid Airport in Riyadh and Aramco refineries

According to Al-Masirah TV, a statement by the Yemeni Houthi Armed Forces noted that in the first operation, King Khalid Airport in Riyadh was targeted, leading to a disruption of flights. According to a statement read by General Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Yemeni Houthi Armed Forces, the second operation targeted an Aramco refinery, resulting in a fire at the facility. The third operation targeted Abha Airport, the Khamis Mushait base, the Akefah garrison in Asir, and other sensitive positions in Najran and Jizan in southern Saudi Arabia. According to the statement, this operation was conducted in response to 60 Saudi coalition airstrikes and missile strikes on Sanaa and other provinces over the preceding 24 hours, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of numerous civilians, including women and children. The Yemeni Armed Forces, citing a recorded total of 1,576 Saudi airstrikes since the start of the new escalation cycle—excluding the airspace above the holy sites of Mecca and Medina—warned all international airlines against using Saudi airspace, stating that companies would bear full responsibility for ignoring this warning.

Houthis seize former residence of Yemeni leader Rashad al-Alimi

The Shia military-political movement Ansar Allah (Houthis), which governs northern Yemen, announced that it has taken control of two areas in Taiz province in southwestern Yemen. The Houthis also seized the former residence of Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council. They reported that they had driven enemy forces out of those districts within Taiz province. The Houthis had previously claimed responsibility for conducting strikes inside Saudi Arabia. They executed three major operations utilizing a large number of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles.

US Navy Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk disappears from radar over the Red Sea

A US Navy Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopter suddenly lost altitude and disappeared from radar screens over the Red Sea off the coast of Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that around 00:24 local time, the helicopter was flying at a speed of approximately 220 kilometers per hour (130 mph) at an altitude of about 91 meters (300 ft). Eleven minutes later, its speed dropped to 17 kilometers per hour (11 mph) and its altitude read zero meters (0 ft). Two minutes after that, speed dropped to zero and the transponder signal was lost. US Central Command and the Pentagon have not yet commented on the situation. An American Bombardier Artemis II reconnaissance aircraft had previously been spotted operating near Russian borders. The aircraft is regularly deployed for surveillance flights near the Kaliningrad region and over the Black Sea.

Secret meeting held by Trump security team regarding Iran and Yemen

Axios also reported that senior security and military officials from the Trump administration, led by J.D. Vance, discussed the crisis in Iran and the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni Houthis. The meeting addressed the potential resumption of large-scale military operations against Iran, as well as US involvement in potential Saudi strikes against the Houthis in Yemen.

USS George Bush visits Thailand for crew rest before returning to the Gulf to intensify blockade

The American aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush arrived at the Phuket resort in Thailand. The George H.W. Bush carries approximately 4,800 sailors, with the port call scheduled for rest and recreation following six months supporting US operations across the Middle East. The US Navy announced that the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and its strike group have been supporting Operation Epic Fury and maintaining the US naval blockade within the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility over the past six months, an operation aimed at ensuring maritime security and stability in the Middle East. The US Navy stated that Phuket marks the first port of call for the USS George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group since departing Norfolk, Virginia, and Mayport, Florida, in March. Local police added that American sailors in Phuket will participate in cultural and community events, including sightseeing tours and a football match between US and Thai teams.

CBS: Israel was prepared to shoot down FlyDubai plane carrying 150 Israeli passengers

Israel was prepared to shoot down a FlyDubai airliner after its pilot was attacked inside the cockpit, despite more than 150 Israeli passengers being on board, CBS News reported. A FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv became the center of an emergency as it approached Israel when, according to the Israeli Prime Minister, passengers, and the captain himself, the co-pilot allegedly attacked and stabbed the captain in an attempt to bring down the plane. According to sources, Israel has an established protocol for such potential scenarios, similar to the procedures developed following the September 11 attacks. After the aircraft descended rapidly to 14,000 feet, the Israeli Air Force attempted to establish contact with the cockpit but received no response. A designated crisis committee quickly convened, and a command center was established. Fighter jets were scrambled, and Israeli airspace was closed.

However, once it became clear that the aircraft had altered its course toward Saudi Arabia—approximately 400 miles from Israel—Israel recalled its fighters, and Saudi Arabia scrambled its own jets. According to statements from individuals on board, the pilot managed to resist the co-pilot temporarily until he succeeded in opening the cockpit door. A group of Israeli passengers and off-duty FlyDubai personnel subsequently subdued the co-pilot, while two off-duty retired pilots on board assumed control of the aircraft and executed an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Israeli sources told CBS News that had Flight 1073 approached within a specific boundary of Israel, fighter jets would have intercepted the aircraft within Jordanian airspace to assess the situation visually.

According to those sources, Israeli fighter pilots would have flown as close as possible to inspect the cockpit visually and establish contact with the pilot. They would then have inspected the passenger cabin to assess conditions inside. If signs of panic or distress were observed, pilots would report their findings back to Air Force command and the designated committee. Had it been determined that the aircraft was hijacked and the suspects remained non-responsive without making demands, the committee would have briefed the Defense Minister and the Prime Minister via secure telephone call, sources noted.

Under this protocol, an unresponsive and suspicious flight heading toward Israeli population centers would have to be shot down in the sky. However, only the Prime Minister holds the authority to issue such an order. Sources told CBS News that shooting down a commercial airliner under those circumstances was deemed preferable to risking hundreds of casualties if a diverted aircraft were crashed into major infrastructure like Tel Aviv’s Azrieli towers, an airport, or another high-value target. An Israeli official told CBS News that during interrogation in the United Arab Emirates, the co-pilot accused of attacking the captain stated he had planned the attack for a long time, even prior to being hired by FlyDubai. According to initial Israeli investigations, the attempt was likely a lone wolf action, meaning the perpetrator acted independently without operational ties to an established group. Sources familiar with the matter stated that the investigation remains active and all potential avenues continue to be explored.

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