3 killed at Saudi Arabia airport as Iran-backed Houthis claim attack
Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority said Friday that two attacks Thursday at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh left three dead and targeted a Saudia aircraft. The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen claimed to have attacked the airport with a ballistic missile.
Putin pledges to help resolve Iran conflict at high-level meeting with Iranian president
Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, during talks Thursday in Turkmenistan that Moscow was ready to help end the war in Iran, Reuters reported, citing Russian news agencies.
“You know our position. On our part, we are ready to do everything we can to help you resolve this situation,” Putin said, according to the Interfax news agency, during talks on the sidelines of a regional meeting of former Soviet states.
“We know that Iran is making real efforts to end the conflict, which broke out through no fault of its own, no fault of Iran,” Putin added, pointing to what he described as the “positive evolution” in relations between Moscow and Tehran.
The meeting took place as diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington continued, with President Donald Trump saying Thursday that “productive discussions” with the Islamic Republic were still underway.
In a post on X, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova also said Moscow had warned of severe fallout from U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran.
Yesterday's Fox News Digital live blog offers additional coverage of the conflict with Iran.
Saudi pilot identified among those killed in Riyadh airport attacks
Saudia, the national airline of Saudi Arabia, said Friday that one of its pilots was killed Thursday in the attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
"It is with profound sadness that Saudia announces the passing of Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami, who lost his life on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in the incident at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh," the airline said in a statement posted to X.
"Saudia honors his memory with deep respect and appreciation, recognizing his contributions throughout his career with the national flag carrier and the lasting impression he left on his colleagues," it added. "Saudia extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, and colleagues. Our thoughts are with all those who knew and worked alongside him during this difficult time."
The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen claimed responsibility Thursday for the attacks targeting the airport.
Saudia said the incident "caused damage to one of its aircraft while it was on the ground at the airport," and that "no passengers were on board the aircraft at the time of the incident."
‘Iran's proxies must stop their reckless and violent acts,’ top EU official warns
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called out Iran on Friday after Houthis in Yemen claimed responsibility for deadly attacks on an airport in Saudi Arabia.
"Houthis have once again struck Riyadh’s airport, taking three innocent lives. My thoughts are with the families of the victims," she wrote on X.
"We stand in full solidarity with the people of Saudi Arabia and all our Gulf partners. Attacks on civilian infrastructure are unacceptable. Iran's proxies must stop their reckless and violent acts," Von der Leyen added.
3 killed in pair of attacks against Saudi Arabia airport after Houthis claim responsibility
Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority said Friday that a series of attacks Thursday at King Khalid International Airport in the country's capital of Riyadh have left three people dead.
"The first attack targeted the airport’s facilities, while the second targeted a Saudia aircraft. Emergency response teams and the relevant authorities responded immediately in accordance with established protocols and the applicable emergency response plans," the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation said in a statement.
"The attacks resulted in the martyrdom of (3) Saudi citizens, may Allah bestow his mercy upon them, and injuries to a number of Saudi citizens and residents of various nationalities, ranging from minor to critical. All injured individuals were transported immediately to hospital for appropriate medical care. The attacks also caused some property damage," the statement added.
The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation did not say who was behind the attacks, but Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed Thursday that it launched a ballistic missile at the airport.
The incident comes after one person was killed and eight others were wounded in an earlier strike on King Khalid International Airport this week, Saudi civil aviation authorities said Wednesday.
Thursday's attacks prompted U.S. Embassy security warnings, travel restrictions for government personnel, and widespread flight cancellations, with some carriers suspending service for several days.
Fox News Digital’s Emma Bussey contributed to this post.
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