3 killed at Saudi Arabia airport as Iran-backed Houthis claim attack

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) Commander Maj. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi said in a message this week that his forces are ready to respond to any military action from the U.S. or Israel, according to Iran's Tasnim news agency. 

“Our strategy in this arena is clear, principled and unchangeable: security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz is indigenous and regional, and no extra-regional power has the right to threaten, establish a domineering presence in, or interfere in it,” Vahidi reportedly said. 

“Any threat from the US-Israeli camp will be met with this force’s vigilance, unified command and comprehensive readiness,” he added. 

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) announced Friday that another ship has been attacked while traveling in the Strait of Hormuz. 

This latest incident happened 13 nautical miles west of Al Jazeera Al Hamra in the United Arab Emirates, according to the UKMTO. 

"UKMTO has received reports from multiple sources that the vessel has been struck by an unknown projectile causing a fire which has since been extinguished," it said. "Status of the crew, damage assessment and environmental impact are unknown at present." 

Less than an hour before the attack was reported, the UKMTO issued a weekly advisory saying at least 10 ships have been targeted in the Strait of Hormuz this week. 

The Israel Defense Forces said Friday that it dismantled four weapons storage facilities belonging to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist groups "during targeted strikes in several areas across Gaza. 

"The terrorist organizations stored dozens of weapons of various types in the facilities, including rockets, explosive devices, mortars, Kalashnikov rifles and additional combat equipment," the IDF said. 

The IDF added that it also eliminated "Hassam Walid Hassan Abu Al-Ata, a commander in the rocket unit of the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, Magdi Moein Yousef Al-Ayoubi, a terrorist in the military wing of the Islamic Jihad & Muhammad Aja, a company commander in Hamas' military wing. 

"Recently, the terrorists advanced attacks against IDF troops and operated to restore the terrorist organizations' capabilities, in systematic violation of the ceasefire agreement," it said. 

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) said 10 ships have been targeted this week while traveling through the Strait of Hormuz. 

The agency said in a new report issued Friday that since July 6, 41 of the 59 incidents involving commercial shipping in the key waterway have occurred along the southern route near Oman. 

Ships currently face a "severe" threat level traveling through the Strait of Hormuz and "moderate" risks in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, the report said. 

It added that of ships attacked this week in the Strait of Hormuz, "7 vessels reported only minor damage and continued with transit." 

There were also multiple explosions reported this week in the vicinity of a tanker near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait near Yemen, where the Iran-backed Houthis have been seizing territory. 

However, the UKMTO assessed that incident as "spillover from ongoing land conflict rather than intentional targeting of vessels." 

Saudia, the national airline of Saudi Arabia, said Friday that one of its pilots was killed Thursday in the attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. 

"It is with profound sadness that Saudia announces the passing of Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami, who lost his life on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in the incident at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh," the airline said in a statement posted to X. 

"Saudia honors his memory with deep respect and appreciation, recognizing his contributions throughout his career with the national flag carrier and the lasting impression he left on his colleagues," it added. "Saudia extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, and colleagues. Our thoughts are with all those who knew and worked alongside him during this difficult time." 

The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen claimed responsibility Thursday for the attacks targeting the airport. 

Saudia said the incident "caused damage to one of its aircraft while it was on the ground at the airport," and that "no passengers were on board the aircraft at the time of the incident."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called out Iran on Friday after Houthis in Yemen claimed responsibility for deadly attacks on an airport in Saudi Arabia. 

"Houthis have once again struck Riyadh’s airport, taking three innocent lives. My thoughts are with the families of the victims," she wrote on X. 

"We stand in full solidarity with the people of Saudi Arabia and all our Gulf partners. Attacks on civilian infrastructure are unacceptable. Iran's proxies must stop their reckless and violent acts," Von der Leyen added. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, during talks Thursday in Turkmenistan that Moscow was ready to help end the war in Iran, Reuters reported, citing Russian news agencies.

“You know our position. On our part, we are ready to do everything we can to help you resolve this situation,” Putin said, according to the Interfax news agency, during talks on the sidelines of a regional meeting of former Soviet states.

“We know that Iran is making real efforts to end the conflict, which broke out through no fault of its own, no fault of Iran,” Putin added, pointing to what he described as the “positive evolution” in relations between Moscow and Tehran.

The meeting took place as diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington continued, with President Donald Trump saying Thursday that “productive discussions” with the Islamic Republic were still underway.

In a post on X, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova also said Moscow had warned of severe fallout from U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran.

Yesterday's Fox News Digital live blog offers additional coverage of the conflict with Iran.

Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority said Friday that a series of attacks Thursday at King Khalid International Airport in the country's capital of Riyadh have left three people dead. 

"The first attack targeted the airport’s facilities, while the second targeted a Saudia aircraft. Emergency response teams and the relevant authorities responded immediately in accordance with established protocols and the applicable emergency response plans," the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation said in a statement. 

"The attacks resulted in the martyrdom of (3) Saudi citizens, may Allah bestow his mercy upon them, and injuries to a number of Saudi citizens and residents of various nationalities, ranging from minor to critical. All injured individuals were transported immediately to hospital for appropriate medical care. The attacks also caused some property damage," the statement added. 

The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation did not say who was behind the attacks, but Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed Thursday that it launched a ballistic missile at the airport. 

The incident comes after one person was killed and eight others were wounded in an earlier strike on King Khalid International Airport this week, Saudi civil aviation authorities said Wednesday. 

Thursday's attacks prompted U.S. Embassy security warnings, travel restrictions for government personnel, and widespread flight cancellations, with some carriers suspending service for several days. 

Fox News Digital’s Emma Bussey contributed to this post.