Saudi Arabia Intercepts Another Houthi Missile, Mideast Updates

Saudi Arabia says it has intercepted another missile attributed to the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen. Meanwhile, Iranian media reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian had left New York following a high-profile week at the United Nations, where Iran also held indirect discussions with the United States.

Here is the latest news from across the Middle East. Additional coverage of the U.N. General Assembly is available here.

Saudi Arabia says missile launched by Houthis was intercepted

Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, a spokesman for Saudi Arabia’s military, said early Saturday that the kingdom had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched from Yemen by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

According to al-Malki, the missile was headed toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.

The Associated Press was unable to independently confirm the Saudi account. The Houthis had not immediately claimed responsibility, although the group sometimes takes several days to acknowledge an operation.

The Gulf Cooperation Council, which represents Arab Gulf nations, condemned the reported Houthi attacks as a “grave escalation and threat to regional security.” The organization called on the international community to take action.

Iranian media reports Pezeshkian has departed New York

Iran’s semiofficial news outlets said President Masoud Pezeshkian had left New York and was traveling back to Tehran after a busy week at the U.N. gathering, which brings together leaders from around the world.

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In his address to the assembly, Pezeshkian rejected President Donald Trump’s latest threat to “annihilate” Iran but concluded by insisting that Tehran remains willing to pursue diplomacy. Iran also engaged in several hours of indirect talks with the United States.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters Friday night that Tehran had delivered a proposal through mediators. Under the plan, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume negotiations over its nuclear program within seven days if Washington lifted its naval blockade of Iranian ports, eased sanctions on Iranian oil exports and honored a ceasefire extending to Lebanon.

Israeli settlers take control of additional water sources in West Bank

Israeli settlers have stepped up efforts to take control of natural springs and heritage locations across the occupied West Bank. Those springs support drinking-water supplies, farming and tourism, yet they are becoming increasingly difficult for the 2.8 million Palestinians living in the territory to access.

In the Jordan Valley, settlers severed a water line serving a Palestinian village and diverted the flow to a pool named for Herod, the Roman-appointed king of Judea. Israeli rights organizations say the incident reflects a wider campaign to assert control over historic and cultural sites.

The dispute over water access underscores the broader struggle for control of the West Bank, where Palestinians have experienced water shortages since 1967.

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This report will be updated as new developments unfold throughout the day.