Yemen's Houthi rebel group has carried out missile and drone attacks on two major facilities of Saudi oil producer Saudi Aramco, according to the report. The oil installations in the Red Sea coastal cities of Jizan and Yanbu were targeted. The report was published and updated on July 26, 2026.

International media confirmed the information citing the Yemen-based Houthi group. The source did not provide details on damage, casualties, or any disruption to operations at the targeted facilities.

The Houthis said the attacks were a response to recent airstrikes by a Saudi-led joint military coalition on Yemen's important Hodeidah port and Kamaran Island. The group described the strikes on Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu as retaliation for those coalition attacks.

A proposed US nuclear deal for Saudi Arabia, conditioned on recognizing Israel, could create a unique opportunity for China and Pakistan, according to retired Lieutenant General Tariq Khan, a former commander of Pakistan’s Frontier Corps. Khan made the remarks in an interview with Al Jazeera, as reported on July 25, 2026.

US President Donald Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social that Saudi Arabia must join the Abraham Accords for the deal to take effect. The accords, reached during Trump’s first term, saw several Arab countries normalize relations with Israel. Khan said Trump had suddenly linked the proposed Saudi nuclear agreement to the Abraham Accords.

Khan said Beijing could offer nuclear energy cooperation to both Saudi Arabia and Iran without political conditions, creating an opportunity for Pakistan to play a diplomatic role. He cautioned that Islamabad may ultimately have to align either with Iran and China or with Saudi Arabia and the United States. Whichever side Pakistan chooses, he said, possible rejection or growing distance from the other side could be difficult and damaging for Islamabad.

Three members of a Bangladeshi family were killed in a road accident in Saudi Arabia on Thursday while traveling from Riyadh to Mecca for Umrah. The crash occurred about 300 kilometres after leaving Riyadh at around 3:00pm Bangladesh time on July 23, 2026, when a private car was struck from behind by a larger vehicle. The deceased are a mother and two of her children.

Two other family members were seriously injured and taken to hospital, according to relatives. The victims were identified as Tania Tahmina Rina (45), her son Tasbik (20) and daughter Zara (15); the injured are her husband Shafiqul Islam Khokon and eldest son Nabil. Relatives said the group of five had set out from Riyadh for Umrah when the rear collision killed three at the scene.

Authorities or further investigation details were not provided in the report and the injured remain hospitalized for treatment.

Tensions in the Red Sea have escalated sharply after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia. Ship tracking data shows that at least seven oil tankers and commercial vessels have reversed course near Yemeni waters following the threat. The crude carrier ‘Rodos,’ bound for India with Saudi oil, turned north near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while another tanker, ‘Maika,’ also changed direction after leaving Saudi Arabia’s Jazan port. Several vessels from China to Saudi ports have similarly diverted routes through the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.

The Houthis warned shipping companies via email that loading or unloading at Saudi ports is banned and violators could face attacks. They said the move responds to Saudi blockades on Yemeni ports and airports. Saudi Arabia denied the allegations and pledged to protect its shipping under international law. The European Union’s naval mission Aspides advised vessels linked to Israel, the U.S., and Saudi Arabia to avoid the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden until risks subside.

Analysts warned that the disruption could raise global oil prices and force Saudi Arabia to reroute exports via longer, costlier paths around Africa, threatening global energy stability.

The Trump administration has signed a major nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia amid escalating military tensions with Iran. Described as a peaceful nuclear cooperation deal, it aims to strengthen the multifaceted partnership between Riyadh and Washington. Under the agreement, US companies will be allowed to export nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia, build necessary infrastructure, and create new employment opportunities.

Saudi Arabia, a long-time US ally, has been seeking such an agreement to enhance its national power grid. The Trump administration stated that this move reasserts US dominance in the global civilian nuclear market. Both countries claim the deal will deepen bilateral relations while maintaining nuclear safety and non-proliferation commitments.

Experts view the decision as significant given the current US military operations in Iran. Washington has said the move is part of efforts to counter potential Iranian nuclear weapons programs. Unlike a similar initiative under the Biden administration, this agreement does not include any condition related to Saudi-Israeli normalization.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a coordinated missile and drone attack on two Saudi oil tankers, ‘Enselia’ and ‘Layla,’ in the Red Sea, according to a report published on July 23, 2026. The group claimed both vessels caught fire after being hit by ballistic and cruise missiles. The Houthis said the assault was a response to what they described as Saudi Arabia’s twelve-year blockade on Yemen and declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in return.

The UK Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO) confirmed an attack on a vessel about 130 kilometers off the Saudi coast, reporting a fire but no immediate information on casualties or damage. Saudi Arabia’s state news agency SPA confirmed that the ‘Enselia’ tanker was struck, causing a fire at its bow. A General Transport Authority official stated that all crew members were safe and that measures were being taken to protect the vessel and the marine environment.

The incident follows the Houthis’ earlier warning that Saudi ships would be barred from using the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key Red Sea passage.

Saudi Arabia has introduced a major relaxation in the renewal process for domestic workers’ residency permits, known as Iqama. From now on, employers can issue or renew Iqamas for as short as three months, instead of paying fees for one or two years at once. The initiative was jointly launched by the Ministry of Interior, the General Directorate of Passports, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and the recruitment platform Musaned.

According to local media Okaz, the new system allows employers to pay only for the selected duration, such as three months or its multiples, easing the financial burden on households. The service is available online through the government’s Absher digital platform.

Authorities said the decision aims to accommodate the diverse needs of domestic work, align with employers’ financial capacities, and modernize residency services as part of expanding digital government operations.

Saudi Arabia has introduced a new technology-driven service at the Grand Mosque in Mecca to assist Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. According to a Gulf News report published on Saturday, the initiative provides real-time crowd information for areas designated for Tawaf and Sa’i, allowing worshippers to choose less crowded routes and perform rituals more comfortably.

The authority responsible for maintaining the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque stated that the digital platform delivers live updates on crowd density and offers guidance to help avoid congestion. The service aims to enhance the overall experience of worshippers by improving movement and safety within the holy site.

Pilgrims can access the service through a QR code, which provides continuously updated information to facilitate smoother movement around the mosque. The system is expected to make crowd management more effective and ensure a more seamless and comfortable pilgrimage experience.

Iran carried out a ballistic missile attack on a United States base in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, according to a report by Axios. The strike marks Tehran’s first direct attack in the Gulf country in nearly four months. A US official confirmed the incident through a post on social media platform X, though no further details about the target or damage were provided. Axios noted that Iran had previously attacked Saudi Arabia’s Jubail petrochemical complex in early April.

The attack occurred amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz region. In recent weeks, the United States and Iran have exchanged military strikes following the collapse of a ceasefire brokered by Pakistan. The renewed hostilities have raised concerns about further escalation in the Gulf.

No immediate information was released regarding casualties or the extent of damage, leaving uncertainty about the broader impact of the strike.

A Bangladeshi expatriate from Cumilla, identified as Md. Nadim Hossain, 27, died in a workplace accident at a date processing factory in the Bukaria area of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qassim region. The incident occurred around 7:45 p.m. Bangladesh time on Wednesday, July 16, 2026. Nadim reportedly entered a machine to clean it when co-workers accidentally turned it on, causing fatal injuries. Saudi police have launched an investigation and detained three factory workers for questioning.

According to family sources, Nadim had gone to Saudi Arabia about ten months earlier seeking better financial prospects and was employed at the date packaging and processing plant. His father, Samad Mia, alleged that his son might have been murdered and demanded a fair investigation and justice. He also appealed for government assistance to repatriate the body.

Burichang Upazila Executive Officer Md. Tanvir Hossain stated that authorities are gathering information and that the government can assist in bringing back the body if the family submits a formal request.

Five Pakistani citizens were killed in a gas cylinder explosion in the Manfuhah area of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, according to a report published on July 16, 2026. The victims were identified as Muhammad Saeed, Abid Hussain, Abdur Rahman, Muhammad Safir, and Muhammad Rustam, all residents of Mansehra district in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The Pakistani Embassy in Riyadh expressed deep sorrow over the incident and stated that its officials are in constant contact with Saudi police and other relevant authorities. The embassy also confirmed that after completing the necessary legal procedures, arrangements will be made either for the burial of the deceased in Saudi Arabia or for repatriating their bodies to Pakistan.

The explosion has cast a shadow of grief among the Pakistani community living in Saudi Arabia, as reported by Sama TV.

Yemen’s Houthi rebel group launched a missile attack on Saudi Arabia, claiming it was in retaliation for an alleged Saudi airstrike on Sanaa airport. The attack, which targeted Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s southern highlands, marked the end of a four-year informal truce between the Iran-backed group and Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition said on social media that its forces intercepted and destroyed the missiles midair.

The Houthis described the strike as a response to what they called “naked aggression” by Saudi Arabia, saying it ended a period of de-escalation. The group had previously accused Riyadh of bombing Sanaa airport. The last major Houthi attack on Saudi energy infrastructure occurred in March 2022, after which the informal ceasefire took effect. The renewed hostilities now raise the risk of conflict along Saudi Arabia’s southern border.

Analysts noted that a major confrontation with the Houthis could threaten Saudi oil exports through the Red Sea, as the group has previously targeted shipping routes there. Saudi authorities have not yet commented on the incident.

Saudi Arabia has issued a strict warning to individuals residing illegally in the country after their visas expire. According to a Gulf News report published on Monday, those who overstay their visas could face fines of up to 50,000 Saudi riyals, imprisonment for up to six months, deportation, and a future entry ban. The Ministry of Interior stated that the move aims to enforce residency and labor laws more rigorously and to prevent misuse of entry visas.

The ministry urged citizens and residents to report any suspected violations of residency, labor, or border security laws. A 24-hour hotline has been established for this purpose, with residents of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province instructed to call 911, while those in other regions should dial 999. Authorities said the measures are part of broader efforts to strengthen security, protect the labor market, and reduce legal violations.

The report added that Saudi authorities are currently conducting a nationwide campaign targeting violators of residency, labor, and border laws, under which the new directive has been implemented.

Saudi Arabia has introduced a new 'package visa' program aimed at simplifying travel procedures for tourists from seven countries, including Bangladesh. According to a Gulf News report published on Friday, the first phase of the initiative covers Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Mexico. The program allows eligible travelers to obtain tickets, accommodation, and other travel services under a single booking.

Under the new system, travelers can complete their visa and travel arrangements together without visiting a Saudi embassy. The package includes a return flight ticket, accommodation in licensed hotels, and an electronic tourist visa. The visa will be issued electronically within 48 hours of completing the booking through approved travel providers, currently identified as 'Rizerval' and 'Almosafer'.

The visa will be valid for three months and allow a single entry for stays between two and eighty-eight days. The minimum package cost is set at 4,000 Saudi riyals for the first two days, with an additional 1,000 riyals per extra day. The total visa fee, including travel insurance, is 402.21 riyals.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly suspended or delayed money transfers to the United Arab Emirates, according to a Financial Times report published on Tuesday. The move, in effect since May, has prevented funds from Saudi banks from reaching Emirati accounts, signaling growing friction between the two Gulf nations. The Saudi central bank denied imposing any formal restrictions when contacted by the newspaper.

The Financial Times report noted that disputes between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have become increasingly visible since early this year. Once close allies, the two countries have diverged over issues such as relations with Israel, policies in Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, and competition for regional economic influence. The UAE’s decision to leave OPEC earlier this year and its support for separatist groups in Yemen have further strained ties.

Analysts cited in the report said economic rivalry between the two major Arab economies is longstanding. The current financial disruption could deepen mistrust and complicate cooperation in trade, energy, and regional security.