Morning update

Live Blog Update| War on Iran 21 October 2026 07:51 BST Good morning Middle East Eye readers, Here are the latest developments: The UK is set to deploy Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets to Saudi Arabia as a form of protection against Houthi attacks. According to the British government announcement, the aircraft will only be used to conduct defensive missions against Houthi missile and drone strikes, but will not be utilised to attack Houthis. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that talks with the US mediated by Pakistan and Qatar remain ongoing, according to NourNews. "Negotiations with the US continue through intermediaries including Pakistan and Qatar," he was quoted as saying by the agency. The Ministry of Health and Environment announced that Saudi strikes targeting boats off the coast of al-Kadha in the Taiz Governorate killed eight fishermen. The ministry of Health slammed the attack as a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, saying that the kingdom continues to target civilians and civilian objects. The Lebanese army on Tuesday accused Israel of spreading misinformation, after Tel Aviv claimed Beirut failed to disarm Hezbollah south of the Litani River as stipulated under a ceasefire agreement. The army went on to reaffirm its commitment to existing agreements, while accusing Israel of continued attacks and violations on the country. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said that Washington is "prepared" to take further military action against Iran if Donald Trump commands it. "We want to make sure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon. We’re prepared to contribute any way necessary," Hegseth told reporters. Local Yemeni authorities on Tuesday raised the death toll from a Houthi strike a day earlier on a military camp belonging to government forces to 73, as fighting between the foes escalates.