Saudi Arabia intercepted six ballistic missiles launched by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, an attack that briefly pushed oil prices to a one-week high due to fears of potential disruptions to the country's oil exports. The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said the missiles were aimed at Taif, a city in western Saudi Arabia, and the Yanbu region along the Red Sea. Meanwhile, the Houthis claimed their attacks targeted a "sensitive" location in Riyadh and facilities of state oil company Saudi Aramco in Tanbu. Although oil prices initially rose by about 3%, they later dropped after reports that the United States and Iran had discussed the possibility of reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, which had been closed by Iran earlier this year. The attacks underscore growing concerns over Saudi Arabia's ability to export oil through the Red Sea, especially with the Strait of Hormuz already experiencing disruptions and the kingdom's critical east-west pipeline only recently resuming operations after drone strikes. The Houthis declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in July, marking a new development in the broader U.S.-Iran conflict. However, it remains unclear if any damage or casualties occurred in Taif or Yanbu, which serve as key alternative routes for Saudi oil exports. In a swift military operation nearly two weeks ago, the Houthis captured the entire western coast of Yemen, reaching the strategic Bab el-Mandeb waterway in the Red Sea. The internationally recognized Yemeni government has called for international support to counter the rebels, warning that the Houthis’ new position near a major global shipping route poses a significant economic risk. While the Houthis claim their blockade applies only to Saudi vessels and not to commercial shipping, they have also issued warnings to other nations not to intervene in the conflict. Abdullah Abdulkader al Alimi-Bawzer, vice-president of the internationally recognized Yemeni government, urged world leaders at the UN General Assembly to be cautious of the Houthis’ assurances and to consider the larger implications of the crisis around the strait. He argued that the rebels' use of navigation safety as a tool for pressure threatens not only Yemen but the global economy. He emphasized that ensuring the safety of the strait is a shared responsibility for all nations reliant on secure supply chains and energy access, and called for the international community to prevent weapons and technology from reaching the rebels. Meanwhile, Saudi-backed forces repelled overnight attacks by the Houthis on a key supply route to Yemen’s third-largest city, Taiz, from the southern port city of Aden, where the internationally recognized government is based. The Houthis have continued to press along the Hejat al-Abd mountain pass, a crucial lifeline for government forces and the only route for people and goods to reach Taiz and travel abroad. If the Houthis seize control of parts of this road, they could tighten their grip around Taiz and further weaken the government, which has struggled to regain the upper hand since losing control of the western coast. In response, Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry announced that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan would hold an urgent meeting of their military leaders to discuss ways to support efforts to repel Houthi attacks, in line with a joint defense agreement. Under the pact, an attack on any of the three countries is considered an attack on all. However, officials in Pakistan have expressed deep concerns about being drawn into the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.