Iran reports no new US strikes

Lull follows 13 days of strikes as strait tensions are high

Cairo: Iran reported no strik­es overnight into Saturday, an apparent break from nearly two weeks of consecutive nights of US attacks, but tensions remain high following a recent escalation over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian spokesperson Hossein Kermanpour said on X, “Iran had a peaceful night”, with no attacks reported. The US Central Command did not comment, and unlike the previous 13 nights, it did not announce new strikes.

Sirens sounded multiple times early on Saturday in Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu and Jizan provinces, which house oil facilities on the Red Sea.

Bahrain also sounded missile alerts, but no casualties were reported. The US military fired on Friday at a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman that was trying to breach its blockade of Iran’s ports, while Iran targeted US-allied Gulf Arab countries.

Iran’s Houthi allies targeted two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea this week, raising concerns the group may again try to block Red Sea shipping routes. In response, Saudi hit Hodeida in Yemen, the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said.

US embassies in West Asia also alerted Americans in the region on Friday that options to leave could become more limited, as Iran’s IRGC advised residents of neighbouring countries to stay away from bases with US troops.

Iran accuses US of violating peace deal

Iran has accused the US of attempting to open a new route through the strait without Tehran’s approval, saying the move violated the June peace deal and heightened tensions. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the MoU gives Iran the right to determine transit routes and the US should have consulted Iran before proposing changes.

The war has killed over 3,400 people in Iran. Eighteen US service members, 24 civilians in Israel and smaller numbers of civilians were reported dead in the region. In Lebanon, 4,000 people died, along with 38 Israeli troops, after Hezbollah fired at Israel in support of Iran. —AP

Houthis, Saudis hold Oman talks 

Yemen’s Houthi political bureau spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam met a Saudi delegation in Oman for talks to promote regional security and stability, said a Houthi source. The meeting came after the Iran-aligned Houthis targeted Saudi oil facilities on the Red Sea following Saudi air strikes on Yemen’s Hodeidah province.