The Houthis deny targeting Mecca and Medina after Saudi Arabia reported intercepting missiles headed toward the two regions.

Debris fell in the Mecca and Medina regions of Saudi Arabia after two Houthi ballistic missiles were intercepted, Saudi Civil Defense says.

The U.S. has updated its travel advisory for the United Arab Emirates, warning that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia could spread to neighbouring countries.

U.S. warships in the Middle East are preparing for possible new strikes on Iran in the coming weeks, the Wall Street Journal reports. Ships in the Arabian Sea have been restocked with missiles, bunker-buster bombs and other supplies as Trump weighs further military action.

Iran has stepped up efforts to target U.S. officials, with plots to kill Americans reaching advanced stages, Axios reports, citing U.S. intelligence.

Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile fired toward Riyadh, the Saudi-led coalition says.

Trump says the U.S. may launch another military operation against Iran. “We may do another little Epic Fury,” he told a rally in Florida, without giving further details.

Two supertankers carrying more than 4.5 million barrels of crude struck naval mines in the southern Strait of Hormuz, sparking explosions and fires that disabled their engines, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy says.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says another attack on Iran would spread the war further across the Middle East. “A military attack on Iran is not a solution,” he said after talks with European and regional foreign ministers in Istanbul.

The U.S. and Israeli militaries prepared for another round of strikes on Iran, but no attack was approved, Kan reports, citing a senior Israeli official. Trump had ordered CENTCOM to draw up plans without setting a date. The official said renewed strikes could take place after the November 3 U.S. midterms and before the end of the year. “It mainly depends on the Americans. It’s clear to us that, in any scenario, we strike together.”

U.S. envoy Tom Barrack says Washington could strike Iran as early as this weekend. “Could there be a strike this weekend? Absolutely,” he said, adding that any military action would not be aimed at regime change and that Trump remains open to a deal.

Iran has drawn up plans to attack undersea communications cables in the Gulf if the U.S. and Israel strike again. - Reuters

Germany, France and Britain are ready to negotiate with Iran to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul says. He also calls for support for Saudi Arabia and Yemen to defend themselves and for talks with the Houthis to resume.

The Kremlin says a timetable is being drawn up for a ceasefire proposed by Melania Trump in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky.

Donald Trump stated that the United States will not attack Iran prior to the midterm elections and claimed that negotiations between the two nations are currently underway.

UK Maritime Trade Operations - Attack - Strait of Hormuz Vessel: MERCHANT (Tanker) UKMTO WARNING 181-26 ATTACK Incident Date: 22 OCT 2026 Incident Time: 1715UTC UKMTO has received a time-late report of an incident 7NM northeast of Limah, Oman. A tanker has reported being hit by an unknown projectile whilst transiting outbound in the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker was able to continue its voyage to the next port of call. 🕒 Reported: 2026-10-23 15:11 UTC

The Israeli military will hold a two-day exercise in northern and central Israel on Sunday and Monday, just ahead of the national election. Troops will rehearse responses to attacks on multiple fronts, including surprise incursions by air and land. The IDF says increased military and aircraft activity is expected, but the exercise was planned in advance and is not linked to any immediate threat.

Israel has advised its citizens in France to exercise extra caution and avoid demonstrations, even peaceful ones, ahead of further protests expected on Saturday, the Foreign Ministry says.

A Ukrainian-crewed ship sank near Romanian waters after a drone strike, killing one person and leaving three missing, Romanian President Nicușor Dan says. He says Russia carried out the attack.

A Houthi ballistic missile fired toward Khamis Mushait was intercepted and destroyed, the Saudi-led coalition says.