The Israeli military says it has struck an Iranian naval weapons research facility, as fresh explosions shook Tehran late Saturday.
The strikes came hours after Yemen’s Houthi rebels declared their entry into the conflict, launching a missile towards Israel—raising fears of further disruption to Red Sea shipping and worsening economic fallout from the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel said it targeted the headquarters of Iran’s Marine Industries Organisation during overnight raids across Tehran, describing the facility as a key hub for developing naval weaponry, including surface and sub-surface vessels and both manned and unmanned systems.
An AFP journalist in Tehran reported heavy explosions and plumes of black smoke. Israeli officials said attacks on Iran’s military-industrial infrastructure had intensified, with a spokesman claiming “all critical components” would be hit within days.
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Another round of blasts was heard across the capital on Saturday evening, though targets were not immediately clear.
Residents described growing fear and fatigue. “I miss a peaceful night’s sleep,” one Tehran-based artist said, adding that the bombardment felt like “the whole city was shaking.”
The conflict has rapidly escalated since the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes across Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggering a broader regional crisis that has driven up global energy prices and prompted urgent diplomatic efforts.
Pakistan is set to host talks on Monday involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt, as mediation efforts gather pace. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has thanked Islamabad for its role, while Germany signalled a possible direct US-Iran meeting soon. US envoy Steve Witkoff also said talks could take place within days.
Meanwhile, the Houthis said they had fired ballistic missiles at Israeli targets, though Israel reported intercepting a launch from Yemen. The group had previously targeted Red Sea shipping during the Gaza war, forcing costly rerouting of global trade.
The renewed threat has heightened concerns for maritime traffic already diverted from the Strait of Hormuz. Maersk has suspended operations at Oman’s port of Salalah following a drone attack.
Elsewhere, Iranian strikes hit the Khalifa Economic Zone in Abu Dhabi, injuring six people and causing significant industrial damage. Airport facilities in Kuwait and Erbil were also reportedly struck.
In Iraq, multiple fatalities were reported in separate strikes near Kirkuk and Mosul, blamed on US and Israeli forces.
Inside Iran, a major steel plant in Khuzestan halted production after sustaining damage. The Revolutionary Guards warned of retaliatory attacks on regional industrial targets.
Iran also issued a warning to neighbouring states against allowing their territories to be used for military operations.
In Saudi Arabia, a missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base wounded at least 12 US personnel, according to US media reports.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, visiting the Gulf, said Kyiv had signed long-term defence agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar to help counter drone threats, with a similar deal planned with the UAE.
Qatar reported intercepting another missile on Saturday—its first such incident in over a week.
In Israel, hundreds protested the war in Tel Aviv and other cities, calling for an end to the fighting amid growing uncertainty over how the conflict will conclude.
