Tanker hit as Iran expands strikes; Iran-backed Houthis hit Saudi airport

News Nation- Oct9th2026

Tatiana Carter

(NewsNation) — A tanker was hit by a projectile, and Iran says it is expanding attacks beyond the Strait of Hormuz.

The tanker was hit was 13 nautical miles west of Al Jazeera Al Hamra of the United Arab Emirates. Tasnim, Iran’s semi-official news agency, named the tanker as the NV Sunshine, and said it is carrying liquid petroleum gas.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported a tanker in the area had been hit by a projectile that caused a large fire, and that the fire had been extinguished, but it is unclear if it is the same tanker.

There was no immediate information on the status of the crew.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says its navy targeted the tanker because it was “illegally” trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

The IRGC also said it will expand attacks to any vessels committing violations outside the strait.

Pilot among three killed at Riyadh airport

Three Saudi citizens, including a captain with the national airline Saudia, were killed in two attacks Thursday targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and a Saudia aircraft, officials said.

Several other people were wounded, according to the country’s General Authorities of Civil Aviation. One strike hit airport facilities and the other damaged a Saudia plane on the ground, which had no passengers on board.

The Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility, saying they targeted the airport with a ballistic missile.

Airport operations returned to normal Thursday evening local time, according to the Associated Press.

The Associated Press reports it was the deadliest attack in Saudi Arabia since Saudi and allied Yemeni forces launched a major offensive against the Houthis last weekend. The Saudi-led coalition said it destroyed three Houthi rocket launch platforms it considered a threat to regional security.

Explosions Friday morning

Explosions were heard throughout Yemen’s capital of Sanaa, which is under Houthi control.

6 people were reported to be injured. The explosions were followed by crowds gathering in Yemen to protest against Saudi Arabia.

The strikes were reportedly led by Saudi Arabia, but Saudi Arabia has not confirmed that. Meanwhile, Pakistan says it will start supplying Saudi Arabia with military support as part of a mutual pact between the two countries and Turkey.

US sanctions 17 tankers linked to Iran

On Thursday, the Trump administration announced sanctions on 17 tankers it accuses Iran of relying on to move oil and petroleum products to foreign markets. The Treasury Department said the measures target Iran’s remaining “shadow fleet,” an aging network of vessels used to evade sanctions.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. will keep targeting those who help Iran sell oil.

The action is part of a broader campaign to restrict funding for Iran’s war efforts, missile program and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

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