Iran Update, September 25, 2026: Saudi Grand Mufti Saleh al Fawzan issued a statement on September 24 urging Yemeni government-aligned forces and Saudi soldiers stationed on the Saudi-Yemen border to protect Saudi territory and defeat the Houthis. Fawzan’s statement may be intended to compel the Houthis to abandon their strike campaign against Saudi Arabia by implicitly threatening a Saudi ground offensive against the group.
Other Key Takeaways:
International air defense missions to protect Saudi oil infrastructure challenge the Houthis’ offensive strike campaign against Saudi Arabia, which has primarily targeted Saudi oil infrastructure in order to weaken Saudi Arabia’s will to fight. International air defense support for Saudi Arabia poses a dilemma for the Houthis by expanding international action against the group.
The Houthis continued to engage Yemeni government-aligned forces and threaten the primary ground line of communication (GLOC) that connects Taiz City and Aden City on September 25. Saudi-owned, UK-based media reported on September 25 that Yemeni government-aligned forces retained control of the Taiz-Aden GLOC amid Houthi attacks and infiltration attempts in Hijat al Abd and al Ashbut, Lahij Governorate, which are near the GLOC.
