Omanghana
Iran has denied involvement in renewed Houthi attacks following a missile strike on Aden International Airport in Yemen on Friday night, October 16, 2026.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei rejected Saudi accusations that Tehran was directing the escalation, saying the Houthis make decisions according to their own assessments and interests.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they targeted a Saudi-led coalition command headquarters and a weapons depot at the nearby Badr military camp.
No casualties were reported. A Yemenia Airways flight carrying more than 115 passengers to Cairo was reportedly preparing to depart when missiles landed approximately 500 metres away.
The incident marked the second attack on the airport within a week. It also followed an October 15 strike on the Maashiq presidential palace in Aden that reportedly killed five people.
Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of supplying weapons, training and support to the Houthis. Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Dr. Rayed Krimly said Tehran’s alleged backing was encouraging further attacks and violating United Nations resolutions.
Riyadh also said the airport serving the Saudi capital had been targeted 20 times since the beginning of October.
Baqaei dismissed the allegations as lacking credibility. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, meanwhile, reiterated Tehran’s support for a political settlement and offered to help mediate an end to the hostilities.
The airport strike came amid wider attacks reported by the Saudi-led coalition. It said its forces intercepted three drones over Riyadh and southern areas, two cruise missiles over the Red Sea and a ballistic missile heading towards Yanbu, a major Saudi oil export hub.
The escalation has heightened concerns about civilian aviation, Red Sea shipping and regional energy infrastructure, adding pressure to diplomatic efforts to contain the fighting.
Source: Omanghana
