Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels announced a missile and drone attack on Saudi Arabia. This was a direct response to Saudi airstrikes on Hodeida, a strategic Red Sea city. This marks a new escalation along vital shipping routes in the Middle East as the United States and Iran contest control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Targeting Oil Facilities

Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the Houthis’ military spokesperson, stated that the attack aimed at Aramco-operated facilities in the Red Sea cities Yanbu and Jizan. Aramco is the world’s largest oil company. Saudi civil defense reported that alarms sounded multiple times in both cities, with no further comments from the Kingdom.

Tension in the Red Sea

The ongoing tension threatens global shipping, with the Houthis threatening to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Saudi-linked ships. This strait is crucial, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, and sees 12% of worldwide trade and a significant portion of container traffic.

This week, Houthis targeted two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia responded by striking the Yemeni port city of Hodeida. The Saudi-led coalition claimed it targeted military threats to commercial vessels.

Call for Diplomacy

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi advocated for diplomacy to resolve the Yemen conflict, opposing military confrontations. Iran had a peaceful night, despite earlier altercations leading to U.S. strikes.

The U.S. accused Iran of targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz and retaliated by striking Iranian targets. Iran responded by attacking U.S.-allied Gulf Arab states. The conflict centers around the Strait of Hormuz, with U.S. embassies cautioning American nationals in the region about limited exit options.

Casualties in the Conflict

According to Iran’s Health Ministry, over 3,400 people have died in Iran due to the conflict. The toll includes 18 U.S. service members and 24 civilians in Israel, with additional casualties across the region. In Lebanon, over 4,000 have died, and Hezbollah militants continue to support Iran against Israel.

Reported from Jerusalem by Dell’Orto.