Peace talks have failed and missiles have hit Saudi airbases during a major oil crisis. Here are the main updates from the region:
- Diplomatic talks in Oman between Tehran and Gulf Arab states were postponed.
- Houthi forces launched missiles and drones at the King Khalid Air Base.
- Thirteen civilians were wounded and seven houses were damaged in Saudi Arabia.
- A drone strike disabled the East-West oil pipeline and raised crude prices.
- President Trump declined direct military strikes and offered intelligence help instead.
Diplomatic efforts to address the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz collapsed overnight following the cancellation of a scheduled meeting in Oman between Tehran and Gulf Arab states. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi stated the Monday meeting was postponed to maintain consensus, though Iran attributed the failure of the talks to Saudi Arabia.
Hours later, Yemen-based, Iran-aligned Houthi forces launched dozens of ballistic missiles and drones at the King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait, reportedly targeting hangars, radars, runways, and ammunition depots. Saudi authorities issued emergency alerts across southern and western regions. According to the Saudi-led coalition, 13 civilians were wounded in strikes hitting Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Taif, causing damage to seven houses and two vehicles. Civil Defence officials extended alerts to Yanbu, Jeddah, Jazan, and AlUla before eventually issuing an all-clear. The escalations follow the Houthis' recent seizure of the port of Mokha and Perim Island, key points at the mouth of the Bab el-Mandeb strait. Furthermore, a drone strike on Friday from Iraq disabled Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, an incident traders warn could remove 4% of global oil supply, leading to a 3% surge in crude prices upon market opening.
U.S. involvement remains limited, with three sources informing Reuters that President Trump has declined Saudi requests for direct American military strikes against the Houthis, opting instead to provide intelligence and targeting assistance. On Monday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper in Jeddah. President Trump noted that the Houthis had requested the U.S. refrain from intervening. Diplomatic fractures remain evident across the region. Bahrain previously refused to engage with Iran, and although UAE heir apparent Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the BRICS summit in India, no regional consensus was reached. Meanwhile, the IRGC alleged the Panamanian-flagged tanker El Gaia struck a sea mine in a prohibited zone, a claim refuted by U.S. Central Command, which asserted the vessel was struck by an Iranian missile last month. Iran has since published a list of 77 vessels it claims violated its regulations, declaring the Strait of Hormuz closed and under its control. This regional instability traces back to the 28 February U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. As of 15 September 2026, the conflict has impacted all GCC capitals, with Yemen serving as a new front in the ongoing crisis.
