Houthis claim missile attack on Saudi city; US disables tanker near Iran
Yemen's Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, claimed on Saturday to have launched a missile attack on the southern Saudi city of Jizan. The announcement came after the group vowed retaliation for Saudi airstrikes earlier this week. Saudi Arabia, a key US ally, had struck Houthi military positions following the rebels' declaration of a maritime blockade against the oil-rich kingdom and attacks on its vessels in the Red Sea.
This escalation opens a new front in the broader West Asia conflict, which intensified after US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February. It adds to Iran's separate blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which is Saudi Arabia's only other maritime route for oil exports. The Houthi attack and US response highlight the widening scope of the conflict.
The United States confirmed that its military forces disabled an oil tanker attempting to evade a port blockade near Iran. The operation was described as a measure to enforce sanctions and prevent oil shipments from reaching destinations under US restrictions. No casualties were reported, and the tanker was taken under US control.
Diplomatic efforts appear stalled. US President Donald Trump stated on Friday that negotiations with Iran were 'by far the most serious that we’ve seen' and added that he is 'not in a hurry' to end the war. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected US pressure, saying in an interview that Iran 'will not bow to bullying' and is in talks with China and Russia. He emphasized that the Islamic Republic is not intimidated by threats.
The conflict shows no signs of de-escalation, with both sides continuing military operations. The situation remains fluid, and international observers are concerned about further disruption to global oil supplies.
