This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.


Catch up on Friday’s top developments here:

  • Pakistan strongly condemns attacks by Houthi militia in Bab-Al-Mandab Strait 
  • UN chief ‘deeply regrets’ US visa refusal to Palestinians ahead of assembly
  • Mideast turmoil set to dominate UN gathering of world leaders
  • Seoul says will not deploy troops for military intervention in Iran war
  • Iran says struck oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz

Saudi Arabia issues air raid alert in Riyadh, explosions heard: Report

Published: Sept 19, 2026 | 00:32 GMT | by AFP

Explosions were heard in Riyadh on Saturday, an AFP journalist reported, after an air raid alert was issued by Saudi Arabian authorities, who have been regularly targeted in recent days by attacks from pro-Iranian Houthis in Yemen.


"The area is under a hostile aerial threat," a message received by residents of the Saudi capital read.


This is the first time the capital has been directly affected since the conflict in neighboring Yemen intensified in July.



Friday at a glance

Published: Sept 19, 2026 | 00:00 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that the war with Iran was “going to end soon,” stating that once the conflict was over, the “gas prices are going to drop to a level they were before, may be even lower.” 

Meanwhile, continuing with Pakistan's commitment to diplomatic engagement, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, while speaking at the United Nations Security Council, said that Islamabad would continue efforts "for a negotiated settlement of all outstanding issues for an early return to normalcy at sea and land." 


He also strongly condemned the attacks by the Houthi militia on merchant shipping and seafarers in the Bab-Al-Mandab Strait. 


Yemen's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said that the Houthi militia of attacked humanitarian and medical facilities in al-Khawkhah and other areas along the western coast of the country. The United Nations said that renewed fighting in Yemen displaced more than 112,000 people and pushed nearly 3,000 others to flee across the Red Sea to Djibouti


Separately, UN Secretary-General António Guterres "deeply" regretted Washington's decision to deny a visa to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas for a second consecutive year, preventing him from attending next week's UN General Assembly.

For earlier developments, read our Sept 18 live blog here.