★ GULF STATES
Mecca Targeted by Houthi Drone, Saudi Arabia Says
Saudi Arabia’s Royal Air Defense intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca Tuesday evening before it entered the holy city’s prohibited airspace, according to Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki. The Houthis denied targeting Mecca or other religious sites, while al-Maliki called the security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims a “red line” and warned of deterrent measures.
MBS Visits Cairo as Egypt, Saudi Arabia Align on Regional Security
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo Tuesday for closed-door and expanded talks on regional security, agreeing to intensify coordination on Red Sea security and freedom of navigation through Bab al-Mandab and Hormuz. Egypt declared Saudi and Gulf security part of its national security, condemned threats to the Kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and said both countries had reached an “absolute understanding” that their interests and objectives are aligned.
Pakistan Says Mecca Pact Open to New Partners
Pakistan’s military spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Tuesday that the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye is “purely defensive” and designed to strengthen collective deterrence. He said additional partners could join if they share principles of regional peace, non-aggression and non-interference, subject to approval by the three members’ political leadership.
U.S., Israel, Arab Military Chiefs Meet Secretly
Top military commanders from Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Egypt met secretly in Germany with CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper to discuss the Iran conflict and regional security, Axios reported Tuesday. None of the participating governments publicly announced the meeting, which points to continued U.S.-led military coordination between Israel and Arab states during the regional conflict.
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★ YEMEN
Houthis Claim Saudi F-15 Downed During Military Operations
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said they shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet using a locally made surface-to-air missile during what they described as hostile operations supporting Saudi military deployments.
Yemeni Forces Prepare Bab al-Mandab Counteroffensive
Yemen’s military intensified airstrikes around Taiz, Mokha, Dhubab and Khokha Tuesday in what a military official described as preparation for a ground offensive to retake territory around Bab al-Mandab. The army said it struck Houthi fighters, equipment and a ballistic-missile launcher at Taiz airport; battlefield claims have not been independently verified.
Houthis Reportedly Mine Bab al-Mandab Shipping Lane
A Yemeni military source told Germany’s dpa news agency Tuesday that Houthi forces had dug defensive trenches overlooking Bab al-Mandab and deployed numerous mines in the international shipping lane, allegedly to impede government forces from retaking recently captured territory. The claim has been widely republished but has not yet been independently confirmed.
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★ U.S.A
Iran War Costs $38 Billion, CBO Projects $3 Billion Monthly Increase
The six-month U.S. war against Iran has cost $38 billion through August 1, the Congressional Budget Office said. Costs are projected to rise $3 billion monthly, while inflation could increase 0.5% in early 2027. CBO said depleted munitions could take five years to replenish, while excluding recent attacks and borrowing costs.
Trump Administration Plans 40,000 Two-Thousand-Pound Bombs For Israel
The Trump administration plans to provide Israel with 40,000 two-thousand-pound bombs in a $2.8 billion arms deal, according to US officials. The package includes 20,000 MK-84 and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs, with most funding expected through the US Foreign Military Financing program.
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★ IRAN
IRGC Claims Iran Downed 52nd, US MQ-9 Drone
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they shot down a US MQ-9 drone over Qeshm Island at 2:29 a.m. Wednesday using a new advanced air-defense system. The IRGC said it was the 52nd US MQ-9 destroyed by Iranian forces.
Explosions Heard Off Iran’s Qeshm Island
Iran’s state-run IRNA reported early Wednesday that several explosions were heard across Qeshm Island, with local sources saying the sounds appeared to come from the direction of the sea. No official source had identified the cause. Similar blasts have been reported around Qeshm in recent days.
Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab Risks Drive Shipping Costs Higher
Shipping costs are surging as security risks rise around both Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab. Gulf-to-China supertanker rates topped $1 million per day for the first time, while Red Sea tanker rates have also risen sharply. Kpler recorded only four visible Hormuz crossings Tuesday, versus a 10-day average of 18, while Bab al-Mandab recorded 22; ships operating with transponders off are excluded.
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★ IRAQ
Drone Falls at Iranian Kurdish Opposition Camp Near Erbil
An unidentified drone fell Tuesday inside a camp belonging to the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan north of Erbil, according to a senior party official quoted by Shafaq News. No casualties or material damage were reported, and no group had claimed responsibility.
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★ LEBANON
Israel Strikes Southern Lebanon, Finds Hezbollah Rockets And Launcher
Israel carried out an airstrike on Mansouri in southern Lebanon, while its forces said they found rockets and a launch platform belonging to Hezbollah in Jabal Rus. The army said operations continue to remove threats under the ceasefire agreement.
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★ Disclaimer: This publication is a digest of various news sources compiled by the Early Phoenix team and edited by Rania Kisar. The items are curated, concise summaries of news items hyperlinked within each story. The items and summaries presented do not necessarily represent the views of the American Center for Levant Studies.
