US strikes Iranian air-defence site near Hormuz as Gulf shipping and flight disruptions continue
Limited US strikes near Qeshm Island, a fatal tanker explosion and a deadly market attack in Yemen have kept regional tensions high.
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that American forces carried out limited strikes on an Iranian air-defence installation near Qeshm Island, close to the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported two explosions in the island's Suza area, and regional mediators are working to prevent a wider confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
A crew member was killed on Thursday in an explosion aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker MT Velos Sapphire, which was travelling empty towards Bahrain. The Greek operator, Velos Tankers, said a missile strike was suspected. No other crew members were hurt, and the fire was put out.
Etihad Airways said flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh and Dammam remain cancelled through November 19. Four Abu Dhabi to Jeddah services were set to resume from Friday, November 6, and the airline warned that further changes are possible because of regional disruption.
In Yemen, at least 30 people were reportedly killed and eight injured in an attack on a market in Taiz province on Friday, according to Houthi health officials. The Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia, while authorities aligned with the Saudi-backed government rejected that account and blamed the Houthis.