Houthis Attack Saudi Refinery as Iran Closes Hormuz Strait

Houthi rebels launched a drone attack on a Saudi Aramco refinery in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, August 9, 2026. The Saudi Energy Ministry confirmed that firefighters extinguished a fire at the facility and reported no casualties. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree stated the strike was retaliation for Saudi drone incursions into the Hajjah and Saada provinces of Yemen.

Simultaneously, the Supreme National Security Council of Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed until the United States corrects its behavior, which includes ending the war and lifting naval blockades and sanctions. While Iran and Oman are negotiating a temporary deal to reopen specific routes and trigger a 60-day negotiation clock regarding Iran's nuclear program, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi clarified that Iran is not currently in direct negotiations with the U.S., only exchanging messages via intermediaries.

In response to the five-month conflict with Iran, the United States Department of Defense is accelerating munitions production to replenish interceptor stockpiles. Tehran maintains that formal dialogue cannot resume until Washington addresses alleged violations of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two nations.