Trending 
The Israeli military said it had carried out strikes on an Iranian naval weapons research facility, as a series of powerful explosions shook Tehran on Saturday night.
The latest attacks on the capital followed an announcement by Yemen’s Houthi rebels that they had entered the Middle East conflict by launching a missile towards Israel. The involvement of Iran’s Yemeni allies is expected to heighten concerns over disruptions to Red Sea shipping, compounding the economic impact of the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel’s military stated that it had targeted the headquarters of Iran’s Marine Industries Organisation during overnight operations in Tehran, noting that the facility was involved in developing a range of naval weaponry, including surface and sub-surface vessels, as well as manned and unmanned systems.
An Israeli military spokesperson indicated that strikes on Iran’s military-industrial infrastructure had intensified and suggested that operations targeting key components would be completed within days. Further explosions were reported in the capital on Saturday evening, although the exact targets were not immediately clear.
The conflict escalated after the United States and Israel launched airstrikes across Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering wider regional instability, sharp increases in oil and gas prices, and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said he expected talks with Iran to occur in the coming days, expressing optimism about a possible resolution.
Despite such diplomatic signals, the conflict shows no immediate sign of ending. A Houthi spokesperson released a video claiming the group had launched ballistic missiles at Israeli military bases, although Israel reported intercepting a missile fired from Yemen.
The potential for disruption to maritime trade has increased. During previous conflicts, the Houthis targeted shipping routes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, forcing vessels to take longer routes.
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, alternative routes have come under strain. Operations at the Omani port of Salalah were temporarily suspended following a drone attack, according to shipping company Maersk.
