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The control tower of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the 19th of last month (local time). / AFP, Yonhap

As flames from the Yemeni civil war reach the international airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, leaving mounting civilian casualties, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Iran discussed measures to ease regional tensions, the Saudi Foreign Ministry stated on the 11th (local time).

The battle lines are expanding across borders as Saudi Arabia ramps up military offensives against the pro-Iranian Houthi rebels in Yemen and the Houthis retaliate with strikes targeting airports and energy facilities in mainland Saudi Arabia.

On social media, the Saudi Foreign Ministry noted that Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone call that day to discuss the deteriorating regional situation and efforts to address the issue.

According to USA Today, Al Jazeera, and other outlets, this marks the first publicly confirmed contact between the two nations' foreign ministers since the Houthis stepped up their attacks against Saudi Arabia.

The contact came amid Houthi claims of responsibility for a series of consecutive attacks aimed at energy infrastructure as well as King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced this in a televised address on the 11th, stating, "We urge everyone to take our warnings seriously," and adding, "If interceptions fail, the responsibility lies with Saudi Arabia."

When Saudi Arabia launched a large-scale offensive against the Houthis last week in support of Yemeni government forces, the Houthis held the front line while retaliating by intensifying attacks against Saudi territory. In particular, civilian casualties have surged, with a strike on King Khalid International Airport on the 10th leaving 13 dead and more than 300 injured.

The Saudi-led coalition stated that bombardments at the airport continued on the 11th, sparking a fire at Terminal 4. The General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia (GACA) reported that one Pakistani national was killed and 11 others were injured in this attack. Near the airport that day, Saudi air defenses reportedly intercepted a cruise missile.

King Khalid International Airport was shut down following the attack on the 10th. Saudi authorities notified residents that all schools in Riyadh would conduct remote learning from the 11th to the 15th, suspending in-person classes and on-site staff duties.

The Houthis stated on the 11th that Saudi Arabia conducted 124 airstrikes across Yemeni territory over the past 24 hours, including on the capital Sana'a and the Houthi stronghold of Saada. The Houthi Foreign Ministry warned that it would escalate the level of retaliation if additional strikes continue.

In a statement broadcast via the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV, the foreign ministry warned, "If the Saudi enemy forces do not cease their aggression and interference against Yemen, worse things will follow, God willing."

The international community also expressed alarm over the attacks. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the Houthi attacks as "a blatant disregard for innocent civilian life," reaffirming U.S. support for Saudi Arabia.

Asked whether the U.S. might join Saudi Arabia's operations against the Houthis, U.S. President Donald Trump remarked, "Could be," adding, "We'll take a look at it."

                                                                                                             Kim Hyun-min