Iran warns against new US, allied attack

Iran on Sunday warned against any major new attack by the United States and its allies, saying it had information that such a move was being prepared, adding to tensions in a region already on edge after drone and missile strikes on Saudi Arabia.

Iran’s military central command said on state media that any new attack would trigger sustained retaliation against US bases and interests, and that Washington’s regional allies would be considered parties to the conflict. It did not elaborate on the information it said it had about a coming US attack.

The US State Department issued a security alert on Saturday saying there was potential for unforeseen escalation in the Middle East and Americans should exercise more vigilance and be aware of possible flight cancellations and airspace closures.

Nearly seven months into the US-Iran war, neither side has looked ready to make major concessions needed to end the fighting and with global energy markets already stretched, the conflict continues to spill over into other crises around the region.

On Saturday Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, who made major advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coast after the country’s civil war reignited this month, said they had carried out strikes in the Saudi capital Riyadh and on a major oil facility in the kingdom’s Red Sea port of Yanbu.

Reuters video showed a massive plume of black smoke billowing from the area of Riyadh’s main international airport after booms were heard in the Saudi capital overnight.

Saudi Arabia did not comment on the incident or the Houthi claims, though a Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis said it had foiled other attacks on the kingdom. The US State Department alert cited Houthi hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including civilian airports.

Recent escalation by the Houthis has forced Riyadh into a painful dilemma: continue airstrikes on the group to stop it seizing more Yemeni territory or step back in the hopes of averting drone strikes on critical infrastructure.

Strikes on Saudi Arabia

The Houthi gains along the coast mean the group’s forces now sit on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, giving them easier control over shipping travelling between the Red Sea and Asia and the ability to blockade the crucial waterway.

With Iran already having blockaded most shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the oil-rich Gulf’s energy exports are now almost entirely cut off from global markets, adding to pressure on global oil prices.

A US blockade of Iranian ports is meanwhile stopping Iran from selling its own oil, contributing to major problems in the Islamic Republic’s economy.

With the war inflicting painful damage on all sides, however, there is little sign of a return to the interim ceasefire agreement that was struck in June but that fell apart in July amid disputes over its terms.

Iran reiterated on Sunday that it would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the terms of that June agreement, as it interpreted them, were met.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Iran would have to keep on fighting as well as negotiating, to push back its enemies and to consolidate any gains with diplomacy.

Pezeshkian’s travel to New York

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will travel to New York in the coming days to attend the United Nations General Assembly session, Iranian media reported.

According to Iran’s private news agency Tasnim, Pezeshkian will address the UN General Assembly, where he is expected to present Iran’s position on global issues, particularly what Tehran describes as the war by the United States and Israel against Iran.

During his visit, the Iranian president is also expected to meet with world leaders and senior officials from various countries.

The meetings are expected to focus on bilateral relations, the global situation and matters of mutual interest.

According to Iranian media, Pezeshkian will be accompanied by a high-level Iranian delegation comprising senior government officials and other relevant authorities.

The Iranian president’s planned visit comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, as well as continued international attention on the situation in the region.

Iranian media said Pezeshkian will use the General Assembly session to present Tehran’s position on Iran’s foreign policy and current global developments.

The Iranian delegation is also expected to hold meetings with representatives from various countries during the visit, although details of the meetings are expected to be announced later.