Saudi air defenses intercepted multiple ballistic missile and drone attacks launched by Iran-backed Houthi forces on Friday, targeting Riyadh, the southern region, and Khamis Mushayt, according to Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition. The interceptions occurred as foreign ministers from the Middle East and Europe convened in Istanbul for crisis talks addressing the escalating conflicts in Yemen, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, and the broader US-Iran confrontation.

The meeting in Turkey brought together Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his counterparts from Turkiye, Pakistan, Egypt, Britain, France, Germany, and Italy. Discussions centered on efforts to ease military tensions and foster diplomatic solutions to ongoing regional instability.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized the risks associated with further military escalation, warning that it "would create nothing but losers and would undoubtedly have very serious consequences." Similarly, Italy’s Antonio Tajani highlighted the limitations of a purely military approach, stating that resolving the tensions around the Strait of Hormuz requires dialogue. He urged efforts to persuade Iran to change its current stance, asserting that continued hostile actions are untenable if the waterway is to be reopened safely.

The talks took place amid growing concerns over the security of key maritime routes and the broader humanitarian and political crisis in Yemen, where fighting between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi movement has persisted for years. The coalition's spokesman underscored its commitment to defending Saudi territory against such cross-border attacks, which have continued despite previous ceasefire efforts.

The meeting reflects an international push to address escalating conflicts in the region through diplomacy, though participants acknowledge that the situation remains fragile with ongoing hostilities and complex geopolitical dynamics at play.