Red Sea Crisis: U.S. and Iran Weapons Silent as Houthis and Saudi Arabia Clash

Rising tensions in the Red Sea threaten to choke global shipping. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis launched missile and drone strikes on Saudi Arabia's Yanbu and Jizan facilities belonging to Aramco, the world's largest oil company, in response to Saudi airstrikes on Hodeida. Saudi Arabia retaliated by striking Hodeida port and the state-run telecommunications corporation. The Houthis have threatened to block Bab el-Mandeb Strait, through which 12% of global trade passes. The U.S. and Iran conflict continues: The U.S. accused Iran of striking three ships in the Hormuz Strait and responded with strikes on dozens of Iranian targets. Iran retaliated by targeting U.S.-allied Gulf Arab states. The U.S. military fired on a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman attempting to breach Iran's port blockade. Tensions remain high as the U.S. and Iran exchange escalating attacks. The Houthis targeted two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea this week, prompting Saudi airstrikes on Hodeida. The conflict has killed over 3,400 people in Iran and 18 U.S. service members. Lebanon has seen over 4,000 deaths, including 38 Israeli troops, due to Iran-backed Hezbollah's attacks on Israel. The U.S. embassies in the region warned citizens of limited evacuation options as Iran's Revolutionary Guard advised against approaching U.S. bases in neighboring countries.