Saudi Arabia’s military spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Turki al‑Malki, announced early Saturday that a ballistic missile launched by Iran‑backed Houthi rebels in Yemen was intercepted and destroyed before reaching the southwestern city of Khamis Mushait. The Associated Press could not independently verify the claim, and the Houthis have not yet issued a statement of responsibility.

Regional reactions

The Gulf Cooperation Council, representing Arab Gulf states, condemned the missile launch as a “grave escalation and threat to regional security” and called on the international community to respond.

Iran’s diplomatic moves

Iranian media reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian departed New York for Tehran after a busy week at the United Nations General Assembly. In his speech, Pezeshkian pushed back against President Trump’s recent threat to “annihilate” the Islamic Republic, while affirming Tehran’s openness to diplomacy. Iran also held indirect talks with the United States.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told journalists that Tehran, via mediators, is ready to propose a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear negotiations within seven days, provided the United States lifts its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waives sanctions on Iranian oil sales, and observes a cease‑fire that would include Lebanon.

Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank

In the occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers intensified efforts to seize natural springs and heritage sites. In the Jordan Valley, settlers cut a water pipe serving a Palestinian village and redirected the flow to a pool they named after Herod, the Roman‑appointed king of Judea. Israeli rights groups say the action is part of a broader strategy to claim heritage sites and control water resources.

The struggle over water access underscores the ongoing contest for control of the West Bank, where Palestinians have faced shortages since 1967.

Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.