Middle East War Today: Iran, the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, 10 Things to Know
The Middle East is on edge as the US–Iran war enters its ninth month and the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthis spreads to Riyadh and the edges of Mecca. With the US midterm elections just days away, Washington is weighing new strikes on Iran while mediators from Qatar and Pakistan push for a deal. Here are the 10 most important things to know about the Middle East war today, October 31, 2026.
Iran: Strikes or a Deal After November 3?
1. Trump says the war will be "wrapped up soon"
President Donald Trump says the war on Iran will "get wrapped up soon" and that any deal must include guarantees that Iran cannot build a nuclear weapon. Earlier this week he said the war would end "whenever I want it to end".
2. The Pentagon is preparing strike options
At the same time, Fox News reports that the Pentagon is presenting Trump with strike options against Iran for after the November 3 midterms, and the AP says US officials have warned allies in the region to prepare for possible strikes that could be brief but intense. The US has not struck Iran since early September.
3. Iran warns of an "earth-shattering blow"
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned of an "earth-shattering blow" if Iran is attacked again. In Tehran, lawmakers are pushing a bill to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, according to Iran International.
4. Qatar and Pakistan keep talks alive
Iran rejected an earlier Qatari draft deal as "unacceptable" and says it will not compromise on its nuclear programme. Qatari mediators have since returned to Tehran with a revised version, and CBS has reported signs of progress. Iran's conditions include lifting the US naval blockade, easing sanctions and access to frozen assets.
Pakistan remains a key go-between. Its military is cautiously optimistic about the mediation, according to Iran International, and army chief Asim Munir has visited Tehran twice this month. Pakistan brokered the April ceasefire and hosted the talks that produced the June Islamabad Memorandum.
Strait of Hormuz and Oil
5. Tankers are burning in the Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guards say four oil tankers caught fire and exploded on what they call "unauthorised routes". A Panama-flagged tanker, the Louise 1, was hit by limpet mines attached by a small boat, the first successful attack of its kind since the war began, according to Fox News. These claims have not all been independently verified.
6. Oil prices keep climbing
Brent crude has risen to $117.62 a barrel and US crude to $113.58, heading for a fourth straight monthly gain. For import-dependent countries such as Pakistan, higher oil prices feed straight into fuel and electricity bills.
Saudi Arabia and the Houthis
7. Missiles fired at Riyadh and a drone near Mecca
The Saudi-led coalition says it shot down two ballistic missiles fired at Riyadh and a Houthi drone heading for the Mecca region. The Houthis deny targeting Mecca or Medina and call the claims "fabrications", saying their attacks focus on Saudi energy and military sites.
8. Houthis claim six attacks on Saudi oil and airports
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed six missile and drone attacks on the Ras Tanura, Abqaiq and Rabigh oil facilities, airports in Riyadh and Dammam, and a military base in Najran. The Houthis say 27 people were killed in Saudi airstrikes on areas they control. Neither side's claims have been independently verified.
9. Fierce battles near Aden and a siege in Taiz
Inside Yemen, Houthi forces are attacking government positions in Lahj province, about 40 to 50 miles from Aden. The city of Taiz has been under siege since early October, cutting off more than 800,000 people, and the Houthis are holding 71 UN staff members.
10. Are Russian satellites helping the Houthis?
A Geneva-based private firm says Russian military satellites observed Saudi target areas before and after 40 Houthi attacks between July and October. Its founder says the link "requires additional corroboration", and Russia has not commented.
What to Watch Next
- November 3: the US midterm elections, after which Trump is expected to decide between new strikes and a deal with Iran.
- Iran's answer: Tehran's response to the latest Qatari draft and to Vice President JD Vance's offer of talks.
- The Gulf: more attacks on shipping in Hormuz and on Saudi oil sites could push oil prices even higher.
- Yemen: whether Houthi forces can break through toward Aden.
Read the full stories: Iran War Today · Saudi-Houthi War Today · US–Iran War Timeline · US Midterms 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is happening in the Middle East today?
The US–Iran war is in its ninth month, with Trump weighing strikes or a deal after the November 3 midterms, while Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis trade missile, drone and air strikes.
Will the US attack Iran again?
It is possible. The Pentagon is preparing strike options for after November 3, but Trump says the war will end soon and talks through Qatar and Pakistan are continuing.
Did the Houthis attack Mecca?
Saudi Arabia says it intercepted a Houthi drone heading toward the Mecca region. The Houthis deny targeting Mecca or Medina.
Why are oil prices so high?
Attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, the US blockade of Iranian ports and Houthi strikes on Saudi oil sites have disrupted supply. Brent crude is about $117 a barrel.
What role is Pakistan playing?
Pakistan is a key mediator between the US and Iran. It brokered the April ceasefire, hosted the talks behind the June Islamabad Memorandum, and its army chief has visited Tehran twice this month.
This roundup is updated as events develop. Last updated: October 31, 2026.
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