Iran Offers Mediation as Houthi Attacks Close Riyadh Airport Until October 17

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi offered to mediate talks between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi group, expressing concern over escalating tensions.

This offer follows several days of Houthi missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi airports, severely disrupting air travel. Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport is expected to remain closed until October 17, with some airlines extending flight suspensions into 2027. The airport has been shut since an attack on Saturday that killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.

This Saturday attack was described as the deadliest in the kingdom in over a decade. Another strike on Sunday killed one person and injured nearly a dozen, according to officials. The Houthis claimed an attack targeting Riyadh's international airport again on Monday with a ballistic missile, and also targeted the Khamis Mushait base with a drone.

Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation extended a suspension of operations at Riyadh airport without specifying when flights would resume. Saudi Arabia launched an investigation into how its air defenses failed to intercept the barrage of missiles and drones. Officials stated the initial probe showed Houthis fired multiple drones to pave the way for cruise and ballistic missiles.

The missiles and drones flew over 1,000 kilometers to reach Riyadh. Delta Air Lines postponed its planned Atlanta-to-Riyadh service launch from October 23 until March 2027, citing evolving developments in the region. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a notice to U.S. airlines to exercise caution when flying in or around Saudi Arabia due to safety-of-flight risks and navigation systems, effective until December 10.

The U.S., Australia, New Zealand, the U.K., Canada, France, Germany, and Japan advised citizens against travel to the region. At least 20 people, including a U.S. national, have been killed in a week of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia's main airport, according to CBS News. NBC News reports among the victims of the Saturday attack were one American, four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals, an Egyptian, a Jordanian, a Palestinian, a Syrian, and one Sudanese national, with an Indian national later dying from injuries.