Gulf Maritime Security: October Attacks Set Record as Missile Threats Reach Saudi Cities

Commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters suffered its most damaging month on record in October, according to a Washington-based think tank that has tracked maritime security incidents since 2017. The spike in attacks coincides with renewed air strikes, as Saudi coalition forces reported intercepting a ballistic missile and a drone aimed at Saudi Arabia on 24 October.

The Saudi Directorate of Civil Defence issued warnings to residents about potential danger. Minutes later, officials confirmed the threat had passed in the capital Riyadh, as well as in the cities of Najran and Wadi al-Dawasir. On the water, the navy of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that two supertankers struck naval mines while attempting to use an unauthorised route south of the strait. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations separately reported that a tanker was hit by an unknown projectile seven nautical miles off the Omani coast.

Tensions between regional powers have intensified in recent weeks. US President Donald Trump told a rally in Florida that Washington might launch another military operation against Iran. In response, Major General Abdollahi, Iran's armed forces chief of staff, said that "under no circumstances will we allow rusting US warships to re-enter the Persian Gulf." Mohammed Mokhber, an adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, described the threats from Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as evidence of desperation rather than power.

Diplomatic activity continues as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian prepares to travel to Moscow next week. He is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and participate in the Gas Exporting Countries Forum summit on 27 October. In London, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated that Britain is redoubling efforts to find diplomatic solutions, noting that the conflict is driving up bills for families in Britain.

The conflict has also affected the occupied West Bank, where Israeli forces ordered Palestinian residents of Hebron to leave their homes on foot. Troops demolished several buildings near the site where two Israeli soldiers were shot dead and detained dozens of people during raids across the territory. In Syria, protest rallies were held on Friday against repeated Israeli incursions in the south, following an earlier raid that killed a man with a disability.

In Turkey, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan indicated that the time had arrived to reunify Libya's rival eastern and western administrations, hinting at a near-future announcement. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the country should prepare for international banking sanctions and suggested cryptocurrency could help bypass them. His remarks came four days before the Knesset election.