Saudi Arabia Strikes Houthi Targets in Yemen

Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen’s Hodeidah port and Kamaran Island on Friday, escalating regional tensions after the Iran-aligned group imposed a maritime blockade on Saudi ports and launched attacks on Saudi-linked vessels. Saudi authorities also issued an emergency warning for the Jizan region after the Houthis claimed responsibility for a missile attack targeting the Saudi city. Houthi media outlet Al Masirah reported early Saturday that a “Yemeni missile attack” had caused a fire in Jizan. The developments come amid a broader escalation involving Iran, the United States and their regional allies, with the Red Sea and the strategically important Strait of Hormuz emerging as major flashpoints in the growing confrontation. In the Strait of Hormuz, US forces on Friday disabled an oil tanker that had attempted to breach the US blockade of Iranian ports. A spokesperson for the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the vessel’s crew had attempted to break through the blockade at least four times and that US forces stopped the ship by firing on its engine room after repeated warnings. The incident is reportedly the second commercial vessel disabled by the United States since the blockade was reinstated, raising fresh concerns over the security of the waterway, through which a significant share of the world’s energy supplies passes. Meanwhile, an Omani delegation travelled to Tehran for talks on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. Oman, which lies along the waterway’s southern coast, has maintained diplomatic ties with both Iran and Western countries and has previously played a role in efforts to mediate regional disputes. Iran said on Friday that it had responded to overnight US attacks by targeting American military bases in the region with drones. US President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House, said negotiations with Iran were continuing and that Tehran was showing the “most serious” approach yet, while stressing that no agreement had been reached. Trump said the United States faced two options: continuing military attacks with greater intensity or pursuing what he described as a “smarter strategy” through a negotiated agreement. The escalating confrontation has also sent ripples through global energy markets. Oil prices briefly rose above $100 a barrel before falling sharply on Friday after two Chinese-chartered supertankers successfully passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Brent crude later fell by more than $4 to around $96 a barrel. The latest developments come as the United States and Britain prepare to hold a conference in London next week on the security of the Strait of Hormuz. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also expected to meet Trump on Tuesday, adding another high-level diplomatic engagement as efforts to contain the widening regional crisis continue. The post Saudi Arabia Strikes Houthi Targets in Yemen appeared first on Khaama Press.