Iran and Middle East Developments: September 2026 Update

WHO:

Institute for the Study of War - The Houthis, Saudi Arabia, Major General Turki al Maliki, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MBS), US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, IRGC Commander Major General Ahmad Vahidi, Basij Commander Hossein Taeb.

The Jerusalem Post - Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iranian defense minister, IRGC generals, IDF soldiers, US soldiers.

WHAT:

Institute for the Study of War - The Houthis are expanding their strike campaign into Saudi Arabia, launching ballistic missiles and drones that injured 13 civilians and damaged seven houses.

Institute for the Study of War - The Saudi Civil Defense issued more early warning attack alerts in a single 24-hour period than in any other such period since late July 2026.

The Jerusalem Post - Operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury were launched by Israel and the US on February 28, aiming for regime change in Iran.

The Jerusalem Post - Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an Israeli strike, along with Iran’s defense minister and several IRGC generals.

The Jerusalem Post - Since February 28, 39 IDF soldiers and 23 civilians have been killed, with at least 7,693 injured in ballistic missile attacks across Israel; 18 US soldiers were also killed.

WHERE:

Institute for the Study of War - Attacks targeted several Saudi towns and districts, including Najran, Khamis Mushait, Abha, Jizan, Yanbu, Jeddah, al Ula, and Mecca.

The Jerusalem Post - The strikes occurred in Tehran and across the Middle East, affecting Gulf nations and US military bases.

WHEN:

Institute for the Study of War - The Saudi Civil Defense issued warnings on September 14 and 15, 2026.

The Jerusalem Post - Operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury were launched on February 28, 2026; a ceasefire deal was announced on April 7, 2026, and went into effect on April 8, 2026.

WHY:

Institute for the Study of War - The Houthis aim to erode Saudi support for military operations in Yemen and compel Riyadh to accept their demands.

The Jerusalem Post - The operations aimed to create conditions for regime change in Iran.

HOW:

Institute for the Study of War - The Houthis launched attacks using ballistic missiles and drones.

The Jerusalem Post - Israel conducted the largest-ever aerial attack by the IAF to kill key Iranian leaders.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 10:40 UTC)

The Houthis have intensified their strike campaign against Saudi Arabia, launching ballistic missiles and drones that injured 13 civilians and damaged multiple homes in several towns, prompting the Saudi Civil Defense to issue an unprecedented number of early warning alerts. Meanwhile, in a significant escalation, Israel conducted its largest aerial attack to date, resulting in the deaths of Iranian leaders, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and contributing to a rising toll of casualties among IDF and US soldiers. The ongoing conflict aims to shift regional power dynamics, with the Houthis seeking to undermine Saudi support for military operations in Yemen while the US and Israel pursue regime change in Iran.