Middle East War: Iran warns US and Israel against attacks; Saudi Arabia reports drone interception

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Iranian official Ebrahim Azizi has warned that Tehran would respond to any threat with an “immediate and even harsher response”, saying there would be “zero limits” on its targets.

In a post on X, the chairman of Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission said the Supreme Leader’s order was “absolute and non-negotiable”. He added that Iran would decide when the war ends.

G20 foreign ministers ended two days of talks in Atlanta without reaching consensus on key global security and economic issues, including the Russia-Ukraine war, the US-Israel war against Iran, US tariffs and tensions in the South China Sea. The meeting concluded without a joint communique, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issuing a chairman's statement outlining shared priorities.

Disagreements over Russia's participation led to the cancellation of the traditional group photograph after European diplomats objected to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's presence. Discussions also focused on keeping critical shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb, open to international trade, alongside energy and food security and supply chains.

Despite the divisions, participants agreed to work towards making next month's G20 leaders' summit in Florida a success. Rubio acknowledged that the countries were far from finding universally accepted solutions to major global challenges.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has warned of suspicious activity after a large fishing vessel was reportedly boarded by unauthorised personnel on October 30.

In Warning 190-26, UKMTO said it received information about the incident, which occurred at 2.19pm UTC (6.19pm UAE time).

Authorities are concerned the activity could be linked to a Pirate Action Group (PAG).

Advice to vessels

• Vessels in the area have been advised to transit with caution.

• Ships should follow all Best Management Practices (BMP) measures.

• Any suspicious activity should be reported to UKMTO.

Authorities are investigating the incident.

Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei says Washington has significantly softened its stance in a letter sent by US Vice President JD Vance.

“Their tone has shifted completely, which is a good sign that shows that our people have secured their victory,” Rezaei told state broadcaster IRIB.

The secretary of Iran’s National Security Council said he had not yet replied to the letter.

Rezaei also addressed Iran’s nuclear programme, saying Tehran had not yet decided whether to change its nuclear doctrine.

An oil tanker caught fire after striking naval mines east of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s navy has said.

The vessel was navigating through what the navy described as a prohibited and unsafe zone despite warnings, according to a statement carried by Iranian state broadcaster IRIB.

“The oil tanker, which had ignored warnings and was navigating within a prohibited and unsafe zone east of the Strait of Hormuz, caught fire after striking naval mines,” the navy said.

The statement did not identify the tanker or provide details about the extent of the damage, the crew or any casualties.

US President Donald Trump has not made a decision about fresh strikes on Iran amid stalled peace talks, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday.

"We can achieve military objectives if we seek to. He hasn't made a decision. I have no announcement in that regard with you today, and nor do we take any of it lightly," Rubio said at a G20 press conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

All six Indian seafarers aboard an LNG carrier targeted in a projectile attack in the Arabian Gulf are safe, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on October 30.

The vessel, M/T Al Mayeda, had a total crew of 25, all of whom are safe, the minister said in a post on X.

Sonowal said the government was closely monitoring the situation and remained in contact with the ship management company to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the seafarers.

Iran's top diplomat on Saturday said there were no plans to hold talks with the United States despite growing concerns over a return to war.

"Currently, there are no plans for meetings with American officials, and any speculation to the contrary is merely media assumption," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview, according to the state news agency IRNA.

Kuwait’s army has warned residents that several military units will conduct live-fire exercises in the south of the country from November 1 to 5.

The army’s Directorate of Moral Guidance and Public Relations announced the exercises in a statement published on X, advising residents of the planned firing activities.

Iran said two fishermen it had reported missing on Saturday have now been found, following what it called a US attack on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

"Two fishermen from Qeshm, who had gone missing following an attack by the American enemy on their fishing boat this morning, have been found," state television said.

Earlier, state TV had cited a provincial official as saying that two fishermen had gone missing and two others were wounded in what he called an attack by the United States on their vessel in the crucial Hormuz waterway.

Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned the United States against launching fresh attacks as speculation grows that the Middle East war will resume.

"If the enemies once again launch military or terrorist attacks, it is the armed forces of the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation that will determine the time and conditions for ending them," said a statement attributed to Khamenei posted on his Telegram channel.

 Iran's army warned that any new US attack would only spread their war wider, following threats by America and Israel of further military action as they hold crucial elections.

The Iranian warning comes with fresh diplomatic efforts underway to avert a resumption of fighting, with Qatari mediators in Tehran and US Vice President JD Vance reportedly sending a letter to Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei.

"If the US president once again embarks on more regional adventurism under pressure from, and in an attempt to appease, the Zionists, the flames of war will undoubtedly engulf a much wider geographical area," Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said in a post on X, without elaborating.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also warned on Saturday that "Iran's Powerful Armed Forces will deal against those who dare harm our people".

Syria's top diplomat on Saturday said Damascus was considering whether to join the Mecca alliance that binds Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in a Nato-style defence pact.

"Discussions are currently underway to evaluate Syria's entry into the Mecca alliance," Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said during the IISS Manama Dialogue event in Bahrain.

Saudi Arabia's air defences have intercepted and destroyed two drones targeting the kingdom's Eastern and Southern regions, according to the Saudi-led coalition.

Reuters reported that the coalition announced the interception of one drone over the Eastern Region, followed by another launched by Yemen's Houthis towards the Southern Region.

The incidents follow an earlier drone interception in the Riyadh region.

No immediate reports of casualties or damage were provided.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard has claimed that four oil tankers struck naval mines and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, according to reports by the Associated Press and Reuters.

The latest claim raises the number of affected vessels from three to four.

Iranian authorities said the tankers had used unauthorised routes through the strategic waterway.

The claims have not been independently verified, and details about the vessels, their crews and the extent of the damage remain unclear.

 Saudi air defences intercepted a drone in the Riyadh region on Saturday, according to the spokesman for the Saudi-led military coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis.

"Air defences intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone in the Riyadh region," Turki al-Malki wrote on X, adding that "debris from the interception fell without causing injuries".

Malki did not say who launched the drone.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pressing US President Donald Trump to launch a joint military operation against Iran immediately after the US midterm elections, Axios reported. The news outlet also reported divisions within the Trump administration between officials favouring renewed negotiations with Tehran and those advocating further military strikes against Iran.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Channel 15 reported that the Israeli military had completed all preparations for an attack on Iran. According to the channel, military officials believe a direct confrontation with Iran could also open a front with Hezbollah, prompting assessments that Israel must prepare for simultaneous drone and missile threats from the north.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen attacked the port city of Aden with ballistic missiles on Friday, the spokesman for Yemen's Saudi-backed military said, as fighting has escalated between the Iran-backed group and the Saudi-led coalition in the latest front in the Iran war.

Col. Majed al-Nazili said in a statement that the missiles targeted Aden international airport, which the Houthi rebels repeatedly struck this month, as well as the palace used by Yemen's internationally recognized government, which was also attacked weeks ago.

The Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for the attacks.

No casualties were reported, according to a government official. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Qatar has called for greater use of technological innovation to enhance maritime security and international peace, firmly rejecting any attempt to use the Strait of Hormuz as a means of political pressure and demanding its immediate, unconditional reopening to ensure freedom of navigation.

Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, Qatar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, made the remarks during a high-level UN Security Council open debate on "Emerging Technologies and Maritime Security: Implications for Peace and Security" in New York.

She highlighted the potential of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, to improve maritime safety, while cautioning that their misuse could pose serious threats to commercial shipping and infrastructure.

She identified four priorities for their responsible deployment: adherence to international law, effective human oversight, robust cybersecurity and ensuring developing countries benefit from technological advances.

Addressing maritime threats in the Middle East, she called for compliance with UN resolutions and a consistent, non-selective approach by the Security Council.

Sheikha Alya reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to the International Maritime Organization, emphasising safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waters, alongside continued support for international efforts to assist affected ships and seafarers at sea.

Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Prime Minister of Bahrain, stressed the importance of safeguarding vital international waterways and freedom of maritime navigation to promote security, stability, development and prosperity regionally and globally.

His remarks came during his opening address at the 22nd IISS Manama Dialogue 2026, attended by ministers, security officials, military leaders and academics from around the world.

The Crown Prince reaffirmed Bahrain's continued support for international efforts to strengthen joint action and cooperation, underscoring their importance in consolidating regional and international security and stability.

He highlighted the forum's contributions to fostering dialogue and communication among decision-makers and bringing perspectives closer on issues of common interest, helping to further develop partnerships and expand international cooperation.

The UAE is continuing containment and recovery operations involving oil tanker GEM NO. 2 following an incident in the country's territorial waters, with authorities reporting that no new oil leaks have been detected.

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) said it was coordinating with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), and relevant federal and local authorities to minimise potential risks and ensure maritime navigation safety.

Specialised technical teams are carrying out repair and recovery work on the vessel, including fixing damaged sections, restoring some operating systems and assessing the tanker’s structural integrity to determine the safest way forward.

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis targeted the presidential palace in Aden on Friday with two missiles, a police official told AFP.

Aden, the seat of Yemen's Saudi-backed internationally recognised government, has been targeted repeatedly since Yemen's dormant civil war reignited in July.

The US military has rejected an Iranian claim that its forces destroyed an American unmanned sea drone in the Strait of Hormuz, saying all US military unmanned surface vessels in the Middle East have been accounted for.

In a statement posted on X, US Central Command (CENTCOM) described the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)'s claim as false.

CENTCOM said its unmanned surface vessels, including a squadron of advanced sea drones, were continuing patrols in the Strait of Hormuz as part of its defensive operations in the region.

The statement came after Iran's IRGC claimed it had destroyed a US military sea drone in the strategic waterway.

CENTCOM dismissed the allegation, saying all its unmanned surface vessels in the Middle East remained accounted for.

Pakistan is “cautiously optimistic” about mediation efforts between Iran and the United States, the country's military spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said.

Speaking to Reuters on Friday, Chaudhry said Islamabad remained hopeful about the diplomatic efforts but warned that “powerful spoilers and detractors” could undermine the process.

He cautioned that some parties could benefit from the continuation of the conflict.

The US Mission to Saudi Arabia has warned American citizens of possible attacks on airports, airspace closures and flight disruptions following recent missile and drone attacks in the Kingdom.

The US Department of State ordered non-emergency government employees and their families to leave Saudi Arabia, effective October 23, citing security risks. US government staff remaining in the country must obtain special authorisation before using any Saudi airport.

The mission urged US citizens to exercise extreme caution, check flight status directly with airlines and airports, and prepare for possible travel disruptions.

Qatar has reaffirmed its commitment to mediation, de-escalation and humanitarian diplomacy, stressing that protecting healthcare during armed conflicts is essential to lasting peace and human dignity.

Speaking at the 2026 Social Forum of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Qatar's representative Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Mansouri called on all parties to protect hospitals, medical workers and healthcare facilities, ensure medical access to civilians and hold those responsible for attacks accountable.

He highlighted a Qatar-led Human Rights Council resolution on protecting healthcare in armed conflicts, co-sponsored by 62 countries and unanimously adopted during the council's 62nd session.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faces bipartisan scrutiny over the Iran war, with Democrats and Republicans planning to demand accountability after next week’s midterm elections.

Critics include Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who called for his dismissal, and Representative Thomas Massie, who sought an impeachment vote.

Saudi Arabia's coalition forces have intercepted and destroyed a drone in the Riyadh area, according to the coalition's official spokesman.

Colonel Turki Al-Malki, spokesman for the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, announced the interception and destruction of the drone.

Further details, including the drone's origin and whether the incident caused any damage or injuries, were not provided in the announcement.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard said Friday that a supertanker carrying more than 2 million barrels of oil struck a naval mine, exploded and caught fire while using an unauthorized route in the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media reported. The Guard said it was the third oil tanker to explode Friday after attempting to use unauthorized routes through the strait.

Iran has repeatedly warned vessels against passing through the strait without Tehran's permission. It has claimed responsibility for attacks on ships and said last month that vessels attempting to pass through the strait without authorization would face "destruction." Tehran has asserted control over much of the waterway since the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28.

Earlier on Friday, the Guard's navy said two other tankers caught fire after striking mines in the strait, Iranian state TV reported. It claimed the vessels had switched off their navigation and positioning systems and ignored repeated radio warnings. Iran's report did not identify the vessels or provide details about the crews. The Associated Press could not verify those claims.

Meanwhile, Oman said it had evacuated 25 crew members from a Panama-flagged tanker that was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, 1.6 nautical miles off the coast of Musandam Governorate, catching fire. It is unclear whether that incident is related to the fires described by Iran.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center also reported Friday that a vessel was struck by an "unknown projectile" south of Lavan, an island just off mainland Iran near Shidvar. The organization, part of the British military that monitors maritime safety, said the crew was safe.

Day 244: US denies Iran destroyed sea drone in Strait of Hormuz

Day 243: US fires senior army general in latest ouster: reports

Day 242: Iran discusses plan to end war and reopen Hormuz

Day 241: Iran says supreme leader met with security chief

Day 240: 'Entering new path could be considered': Iran tells US