Smoke, flames reported near Riyadh airport after alerts
TOPSHOT – This handout photo released by the Iranian foreign ministry shows Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar (L) greeting his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi upon his arrival in Islamabad on April 24, 2026. (Photo by Iranian Foreign Ministry / AFP via Getty Images) / XGTY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO / Iranian Foreign Ministry” – HANDOUT – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
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Saudi Arabia issued alerts to its citizens early Saturday amid reports of explosions in the capital Riyadh, as Pakistan’s foreign minister stressed to his Iranian counterpart the need for uninterrupted energy supplies as war in the Middle East continued.
The Directorate of Saudi Civil Defense issued the early warning alerts while Reuters reported the sound of two booms in Riyadh, but the agency later gave the all-clear. It subsequently reported a large plume of smoke and flames visible near the city’s main airport, King Khalid International Airport.
It was unclear what caused the smoke and flames, and Saudi authorities did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.
The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen stepped up their attacks on Saudi Arabia in recent weeks and launched a lightning ground offensive around Bab el-Mandeb Strait — a strategically vital oil choke point — seizing Mokha and nearby islands
U.S. President Donald Trump‘s administration last week approved the potential $24.3 billion sale of nearly 50 F-35 warplanes to Saudi Arabia, seen as a major boost for the kingdom.
The package, announced on Thursday, includes the sale of 48 of Lockheed Martin‘s advanced F-35 jets, plus 49 Pratt & Whitney engines and other parts.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday as regional diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict between the U.S. and Iran have stalled.
“DPM/FM stressed the importance of uninterrupted energy supplies and the safe and expeditious passage of ships, particularly given their implications for developing countries and global supply chains,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry said in a post on X.
The two diplomats agreed to meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week, the ministry said.
Reuters quoted a State Department spokesperson as saying on Sept. 11 that a “core delegation from the Iranian regime” would be allowed to attend the meeting in line with the United States’ obligations as the world body’s host country.
‘Hopefully’ nearing the end of the war
Trump said Wednesday that the country is “hopefully” approaching the end of its nearly seven-month war with Iran.
Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, is up 72% since the start of 2026 as the war choked off energy supplies flowing through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.
Saudi Arabia has tried to divert its oil exports away from the strait by pumping it through its East-West pipeline to the Red Sea. But a drone attack that Saudi Arabia said originated in Iraq damaged the East-West pipeline on Sept. 11, forcing a shutdown.
Crude prices fell for the third consecutive session Friday to finish the week basically flat, as the market anticipates the closure of Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline will not have as big an impact on supplies as originally feared.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures fell 1.6% to close at $100.30 per barrel. Brent crude traded 0.9% lower, settling at $103.87.
