Trump to Call Saudi Crown Prince After Deadly Riyadh Airport Attack

October 11, 2026

Washington: US President Donald Trump has described the deadly attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport as “terrible” and said he would speak to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The reported attack killed 12 people, including an American, and injured 309, according to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation.

Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Saturday after returning from a campaign rally in Tennessee, Trump condemned the attack and said the incident was unacceptable.

“I think it’s terrible,” Trump said when asked about the strike.

When questioned about Washington’s possible response, he replied, “Well, you’re gonna find out, see, but I think it’s terrible.”

Trump confirmed that he had not yet spoken to the Crown Prince but said he planned to do so. He also expressed confidence in Saudi Arabia’s ability to defend itself, describing the country’s forces as capable fighters.

Asked whether the United States was communicating with Yemen’s Houthi movement, Trump said Washington had contact with the group and would see how the situation developed.

12 Killed, 309 Injured in Riyadh Airport Attack

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation reported that 12 people were killed and 309 injured in the attack. The deceased included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals and one person each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan. No Indian national was listed among the dead in the authority’s reported breakdown.

The Saudi civil aviation authority did not officially assign responsibility for the strike. However, Saudi-led coalition officials and a diplomatic source blamed the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The group had claimed responsibility for earlier strikes on the airport during the week but had not immediately claimed Saturday’s attack.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was deeply shocked by the incident and stressed that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international law.

“Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are a violation of international law. These attacks must cease immediately,” Guterres said.

US Condemns Houthi Attacks, Considers Possible Response

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly condemned the attacks on Saudi Arabia, including the strike on King Khalid International Airport.

“These reprehensible attacks demonstrate a blatant disregard for innocent civilian life. They must stop now,” Rubio wrote on X, noting that an American citizen was among those killed.

Trump also said on Saturday that his administration was evaluating whether the United States should join Saudi strikes against the Houthis. Asked whether Washington might participate, he replied, “We may. We’re going to look at it.”

His remarks indicate that the US administration is considering its options as it assesses the consequences of the attack and the wider regional security situation.

Trump Comments on Iran and Nuclear Concerns

During the same interaction with reporters, Trump was asked why he had not declared victory in Iran. He said the United States could leave immediately but needed to ensure that Iran could not acquire a nuclear weapon in the future.

At his Tennessee rally, Trump had described the situation in Iran as “sort of calming down” and suggested the conflict could be ended quickly.

The developments come amid broader regional tensions involving Iran, the Houthis and US-backed security arrangements in the Middle East.

India Follows Developments Amid Large Expatriate Community

India has a significant stake in developments in Saudi Arabia, which is home to approximately 2.74 million Indians.

The Ministry of External Affairs had condemned earlier Houthi strikes targeting Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport, stating that “the targeting of civilian infrastructure is completely unacceptable.”

As authorities continue to assess the consequences of the latest attack, Washington’s next steps and the response from Saudi Arabia and the Houthis remain key developments to watch.