Saudi Arabia Reports Drone Downed Near Mecca

Saudi Arabia’s military coalition announced on Friday that it intercepted and destroyed a drone in the area surrounding Mecca. The coalition identified the projectile as originating from Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Mecca serves as the holiest site in Islam and attracts millions of pilgrims annually.

Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, a spokesperson for the coalition, confirmed the interception. The Houthis quickly disputed the narrative. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesperson, issued a statement denying that his group targeted Mecca. Saree asserted that Houthi military operations focus on Saudi oil facilities and military bases rather than the holy city.

This exchange continues a pattern of conflicting claims between the two sides. Saudi authorities have previously reported stopping missiles and drones aimed at Mecca and Medina. The Houthis have consistently denied targeting either location. The latest incident adds to the tension in the region.

Diplomatic efforts to end the war between Iran and the United States and Israel advanced on Friday. Qatari mediators returned to Tehran to meet with Iranian officials. Iran’s state news agency, IRNA, reported that the delegation was led by Qatar’s foreign minister and a senior adviser to the prime minister. The agency did not name the specific Iranian officials present for the talks.

The visit follows a letter sent by U.S. Vice President JD Vance to Maj. Gen. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Tehran acknowledged receipt of the letter on Thursday but stated it had not yet responded. U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the letter concerned humanitarian aid rather than peace negotiations. Diplomats indicated that U.S. officials have urged regional allies to prepare for potential renewed military action against Iran following next week’s U.S. midterm elections.

Tensions also flared in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard stated it stopped two oil tankers for using unauthorized routes through the waterway. The Guard’s navy said one vessel was stopped in the eastern strait and the other in the western part. Both ships had turned off their navigation and positioning systems. The Guard claimed the vessels ignored radio warnings while attempting to exit with U.S. military support.

The British military’s Maritime Trade Operations Centre reported a vessel on fire northeast of Oman and a separate attack on a tanker off the northwest tip of the country. Iran requires ships to communicate with its authorities and follow a route near its northern coast. Vessels seeking to avoid Iranian control have been using the southern side of the strait.

In Syria, civil defense teams searched for missing persons in eastern provinces after flash floods swept through rural areas. The Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management reported at least five deaths, including four children, in Raqqa and Deir el-Zour provinces. State media reported that rescuers saved dozens of trapped individuals and evacuated hundreds of families from displacement camps in the north.

In Gaza, residents expressed skepticism about the impact of Israel’s recent elections. Near-daily strikes continued despite a ceasefire. Ziad Abed, a resident of Maghazi, said suffering would remain unchanged regardless of who leads. Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats, while rival Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc secured 48 seats. Arab-led parties won 19 seats, their highest total to date. Coalition negotiations are now underway.