Washington - Riyadh - Sanaa: Europe and the Arabs

The recent developments in the Middle East region have received significant attention from international and European media circles, including what was published by the Belgian Newspaper in Brussels, which said that Pete Hegseth was dissatisfied with the Washington Post’s report on the number of American soldiers killed in the Middle East. The Defense Minister described the newspaper as "worse than the official Iranian media."
The Washington Post reported on Friday that at least 22 American soldiers were killed during the war between the United States and Iran. That's four more soldiers than are currently listed in the Pentagon's public database.
Hegseth denies the report, writing on X: "This is disgusting and false. And an absolute lie. Shame on The Washington Post - it is worse than the official Iranian media."
The newspaper based its report on five officials, whose identities were not disclosed. Not all of the four additional deaths are said to be directly linked to the months-long conflict. Another source, whose identity was not disclosed, stated that they were American soldiers stationed in the Middle East during combat operations.
According to the Washington Post, the Pentagon refused to answer questions about the discrepancy in recording casualties. Today
Trump extends US sanctions on Iran until 2031
US President Donald Trump signed a law extending sanctions on Iran for five years. The same law also expands US sanctions, tariffs and other restrictions on Russia. It's about Lindsay O's Law. Graham to impose sanctions on Russia and Iran for 2026, named in memory of the late Republican senator. The law also extends the 1996 Iran Sanctions Act, which was scheduled to expire this year, but will remain in effect until 2031.
The House of Representatives approved the text on Wednesday, after the Senate approved it in August.
Explosions in Riyadh after sirens sound
Powerful explosions rang out in Riyadh on Friday night into Saturday. Journalists from Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported this after sirens sounded in the Saudi capital, for the first time since the escalation of the conflict in Yemen.
Residents of Riyadh and Al-Kharj were warned in a message that “the area is threatened by hostile air strikes” and were called to stay in their homes and follow safety instructions. AFP journalists later heard two explosions, and about half an hour later, Saudi Civil Protection raised the alert. Saudi Arabia has come under repeated attacks in recent days by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The Houthis control much of neighboring Yemen, and recently made a breakthrough against the internationally recognized government, which is backed by a Saudi-led coalition.
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The Yemeni government accuses the Houthis of launching attacks on humanitarian facilities
The Yemeni Ministry of Human Rights accused the Houthis of launching attacks and looting humanitarian and medical facilities funded by Saudi Arabia.
She said the alleged attacks were in Al-Khawkha and other areas along the western coast. According to the ministry, clinics and food and medicine stores were targeted, and there were also reports that drinking water and shelter projects were targeted.
The Ministry confirmed that "these attacks directly target humanitarian aid." As a result, thousands of civilians and displaced people risk losing basic services.
Houthis report 26 new Saudi attacks
The pro-Iranian Houthis reported that Saudi Arabia launched 26 attacks in western Yemen on Friday. According to their spokesman, Yahya Saree, this brings the total number of attacks this week to 300. The Houthis reported that Saudi F-15 aircraft carried out 26 air strikes on Taiz Governorate. The plane reportedly took off from Khamis Mushait Air Base.
Yemen, Saudi Arabia's neighbor, was drawn into the Middle East war in July. In early September, the Houthis, supported by Iran, launched a large-scale attack, during which they took control of most of Yemen's coast overlooking the Red Sea, including the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Hundreds have been killed in the fighting between the Houthis and government forces.
UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, “expresses concern” about the United States’ refusal to grant the Palestinian President an entry visa.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, expressed his concern about Washington's refusal to grant Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas an entry visa to participate in the United Nations General Assembly for the second year in a row. This was stated by his spokesman on Friday. He said:
Stephane Dujarric added: “The Secretary-General is concerned about the impact of this resolution on the ability of the Palestinian state to participate fully in the work of the United Nations.”
The reason for the rejection, as stated in a statement issued by the US State Department on Wednesday, was the lack of reforms implemented in Palestine. The Americans also accuse the Palestinians of "internationalizing" their conflict with Israel by filing lawsuits before institutions such as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. In addition, they are trying to "circumvent negotiations by unilaterally seeking" recognition as a state, and continue to support and glorify terrorism, according to the ministry.
Only Palestinian representatives at the United Nations are allowed to participate in the annual meeting.