Three die in Houthi strikes on Riyadh airport, the deadliest so far. Oil eases after Trump says no Iran attack before the midterms
Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority said three Saudis died in attacks on King Khalid International Airport on Thursday, one of them a Saudia captain, whom the airline confirmed. The first strike hit airport facilities and the second struck an aircraft. The Houthis claimed the attacks; the Saudi statement did not name them. Saudi officials called it the deadliest attack in the kingdom since the Saudi-led offensive against the Houthis began last weekend. The airport reopened on Friday, Al Jazeera reported, and Lufthansa and Indian carriers suspended Riyadh flights, according to Reuters. At 1200 GMT on Friday Brent was US$102.58, down 1.63 per cent, after a 4 per cent rise on Thursday. Trump said no attack on Iran was planned before the November 3 midterms. Iran said it was reviewing the US response to its Hormuz proposal. The US also sanctioned more of Iran's shadow fleet.
Airports, tankers and the Strait of Hormuz are all now targets. Each new attack widens the premium that insurers, airlines and fuel buyers pay, and that premium reaches Australian petrol prices within weeks.
Expect fuel and airfares to stay elevated. Travellers with flights through Riyadh should check with their airline, and DFAT's Smartraveller advice is the place to look.
Talks are alive: Trump says discussions are productive and Iran is reviewing the proposal, so the oil price may keep drifting lower.
Trump's pledge covers only the period to the midterms, attacks on shipping and airports are rising, and the 4 per cent jump on Thursday shows how fast prices can reverse.
Watch the answer Iran gives on Hormuz and the next incident reports from the UK maritime agency. A quiet weekend would be the first real sign the premium in oil is easing.
DailyDrop Australia edition No. 6 · Morning · SAT., OCT. 10, 2026