Houthis target Saudi oil facilities while Iran accuses Ukraine of attacking vessel in the Caspian Sea
The conflict involving Iran widened over the weekend despite a pause in US airstrikes, with fighting spreading to the Red Sea and tensions rising in the Caspian Sea.
Iran-backed Houthi forces launched attacks on Saudi oil facilities along the Red Sea coast, while Iran accused Ukraine of attacking one of its commercial vessels in the Caspian Sea, further increasing regional instability.
US pauses strikes but keeps naval blockade in place
The US military confirmed that its naval blockade against Iran remains fully operational, although it did not explain why it halted a series of 13 consecutive nights of airstrikes.
According to reports, President Donald Trump has temporarily paused plans to intensify military operations, with concerns reportedly raised over expanding the conflict, reducing US weapons stockpiles, straining relations with Gulf allies, and disrupting global energy supplies.
A senior administration official said Trump still prefers a diplomatic solution but warned that military action remains an option if negotiations fail.
Houthis strike Saudi oil facilities
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group targeted Saudi Aramco facilities in the cities of Jizan and Yanbu.
Video circulating on social media showed thick smoke rising near the Aramco refinery in Jizan, one of Saudi Arabia’s major oil-processing facilities capable of refining up to 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
Saudi authorities have not officially confirmed the extent of the damage. In Yanbu, officials said two missiles aimed at oil facilities were intercepted before reaching their targets.
Yemen conflict risks escalating
The latest attacks have raised fears that Yemen’s long-running civil war could intensify again.
Officials said forces aligned with Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen’s Marib and Al-Jawf provinces as both sides reportedly mobilised along front-line positions.
The conflict threatens shipping routes through both the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, increasing concerns over global energy security.
Iran accuses Ukraine over Caspian Sea attack
Separately, Iran accused Ukraine of attacking an Iranian commercial ship in the Caspian Sea, claiming one sailor was killed and another injured.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned Ukraine’s chargé d’affaires in Tehran to protest what it described as a “hostile and criminal” attack.
Ukraine has not publicly responded to the accusation.
Regional tensions remain high
Although US airstrikes have paused for now, the widening conflict involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and maritime shipping routes has heightened fears of further instability across the Middle East.
Diplomatic efforts continue, but analysts warn that attacks on critical oil infrastructure and shipping lanes could have significant consequences for regional security and global energy markets.
