U.S. orders non-essential diplomats out of Saudi Arabia after Houthi strikes on an airport and oil field

Summary

The U.S. has ordered non-emergency diplomatic staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom, reviving fears of a wider regional conflict. CNBC reports that the move follows Houthi strikes on an airport and an oil field, and that the U.S. reportedly is readying strikes on Iran after the midterm elections. The National reports that a strike on Dammam airport late on Wednesday killed one person and injured eight. The National also reports that non-Iran Middle East oil exports have recovered to prewar levels despite continuing attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Timeline

1. CNBC

   22 Oct 2026, 04:26 UTCSource ↗

   CNBC reports that the U.S. ordered non-emergency staff out of Saudi Arabia after Houthi strikes on an airport and an oil field, and that the U.S. reportedly is readying Iran strikes after the midterms.

2. The National

   22 Oct 2026, 05:33 UTCSource ↗

   The National reports that the U.S. has ordered non-essential diplomatic staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia amid escalating Houthi attacks, following a strike on Dammam airport late Wednesday that killed one person and injured eight.