Houthis Strike Saudi Arabia Again as Strait of Hormuz Talks Stall

Houthis strike Saudi Arabia with a new wave of missiles and drones as fighting in Yemen intensifies and diplomatic efforts over the Strait of Hormuz face delays. The Iran-aligned group said it attacked a military airbase in southern Saudi Arabia, while Yemeni officials reported that Houthi forces were strengthening their positions along the Red Sea coast.

On Monday, the Houthis announced they had launched dozens of missiles and drones toward the military installation near Khamis Mushait. They claimed that the attack was in response for Saudi airstrikes in Yemen, targeting aircraft hangars, radar systems, runways, and ammunition dumps.

Saudi authorities issued emergency alerts for Khamis Mushait and three other southern cities. The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen reported 13 people injured in the attacks.

Houthis Strike Saudi Arabia as Yemen Fighting Grows

The latest attacks followed a string of Houthi advances in Yemen. Yemeni officials from the internationally recognised government stated the group had also taken control of Perim Island, located at the entrance to the Red Sea.

Saudi and Yemeni planes have upped their strikes on Houthi sites in response. Targets have included the area surrounding Mocha, a historic port on Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Despite the airstrikes, Yemeni officials claim the Houthis still control the majority of the western shore.

The crisis is also putting pressure on Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure. An airborne attack on Thursday disrupted the country’s east-west oil pipeline. Saudi Arabia blamed the attack on Iranian-backed militias in Iraq.

The 1,200-kilometre (745-mile) pipeline was constructed in the 1980s to transport oil from the Gulf to the Red Sea. It was created to give an alternate route when the Strait of Hormuz was threatened during the Iran-Iraq war.

Traders believe a prolonged blockade might disrupt up to 4% of global oil supplies, while the Strait of Hormuz remains largely sealed. Saudi Arabia has yet to announce when the pipeline will be operational again.

Oil prices rose more than 4% on Monday before finishing roughly 1% higher.

US Holds Back as Hormuz Talks Are Delayed

The escalating violence has also made it tough for US President Donald Trump. According to three sources, Washington has thus far rebuffed Saudi calls for direct military involvement in addition to intelligence help.

Trump said over the weekend that he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He also stated that the Houthis had called Washington and requested that the United States refrain from becoming involved.

According to Saudi state media, the crown prince met with United States Regional Commander Admiral Brad Cooper in Jeddah on Monday.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz have been delayed. On Monday, Oman was scheduled to hold discussions between Iran and Gulf Arab states, but the conference was postponed. Iran stated that the postponement was at Saudi Arabia’s request.

Trump reiterated Iran’s desire for a rapid agreement. Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei rejected the message, stating that conversations would not take place unless Iran’s demands were addressed.

The scenario in shipping is still unclear. The Revolutionary Guard of Iran reported the Panama-flagged ship El Gaia was hit by maritime mines near the Strait of Hormuz. The US Central Command denied the report, stating that the tanker had been struck by an Iranian missile the previous month.

According to the International Maritime Organization, the tanker was damaged on Saturday, and two crew members are missing. The vessel’s owners in Dubai could not immediately be reached for comment.

Since February 28, when the war began, the Strait of Hormuz has been largely blocked to shipping. Iran has urged vessels not to cross through the strait without its clearance.