Houthi missile strikes damage Saudi Aramco site and injure four in Riyadh
Saudi authorities said an Aramco facility in Dhahran was damaged and four people were hurt in Riyadh after Houthi missiles aimed at the capital were intercepted. The IMF's managing director warned that the attacks could create economic spillovers beyond the region. Iran has also reportedly adopted new methods to target vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian officials cited by Reuters.
Saudi officials said an Aramco administrative building in Dhahran was hit Tuesday evening, causing a small fire but no deaths or injuries. In Riyadh, debris from two intercepted Houthi cruise missiles wounded two women, a man and a child, and damaged 15 homes. The Saudi-led coalition had reported intercepting several missiles Tuesday evening, including over the capital.
The IMF’s Kristalina Georgieva, speaking in Bangkok, said Saudi Arabia’s economy matters regionally and globally, so the attacks could harm economies elsewhere. Separately, two Iranian officials told Reuters Tehran has adopted new tactics against ships in the Strait of Hormuz, seeking higher oil prices and influence over US midterm elections.
The strikes and shipping disruptions could raise energy and transport costs, affecting households and businesses far beyond the Middle East. In Saudi Arabia, residents near targeted sites may face safety fears and property damage. Maritime crews and traders in the Strait of Hormuz could encounter greater risk and uncertainty. If tensions persist, governments may face pressure to bolster security, while global markets may remain volatile.