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Houthis Strike Saudi Mosque, Oil Pipeline, Tensions Rise
Confirmed
In Short: Regional officials confirmed coordinated attacks by Houthis and Iraqi militias on Saudi Arabia, prompting U.S. President Trump to suggest Iran's involvement and increased tensions in the region.
Regional officials have told The that the Houthis and Iraqi militias recently coordinated attacks on Saudi Arabia, escalating tensions in the region. U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Iran was 'probably' responsible for the pipeline attack, while also trying to calm concerns about higher global oil prices.
The Houthis called the U.S. administration, stating they do not want to fight with Saudi Arabia and have their own problems, according to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Regional officials also reported that the Houthis helped plan and execute the attacks.
Several Arab countries, including Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Egypt, condemned the attack, while Saudi Arabia increased its oil exports to mitigate the impact. Iraq closed two key border crossings with Iran in response to the investigation of the pipeline attack.
The attack on Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, which passes through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, further strained relations and prompted the Houthis to declare that Saudi ships will not be allowed to pass through the Red Sea.
What's confirmed
- Regional officials have told The that the Houthis and Iraqi militias recently coordinated attacks on Saudi Arabia, escalating tensions in the region. U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Iran was 'probably' responsible for the pipeline attack, while also trying to calm concerns about higher global oil prices.
- The Houthis called the U.S. administration, stating they do not want to fight with Saudi Arabia and have their own problems, according to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Regional officials also reported that the Houthis helped plan and execute the attacks.
- Several Arab countries, including Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Egypt, condemned the attack, while Saudi Arabia increased its oil exports to mitigate the impact. Iraq closed two key border crossings with Iran in response to the investigation of the pipeline attack.
- The attack on Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, which passes through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, further strained relations and prompted the Houthis to declare that Saudi ships will not be allowed to pass through the Red Sea.
What's still developing
- He said his administration has had "discussions" with the Houthis, but neither he nor the White House said when those occurred.
- By early June, Saudi Arabia had more than doubled oil exports from the Red Sea port at the pipeline's end to more than 5 million barrels per day, according to the International Energy Agency.
- A group of Iran-backed militias in Iraq denied they were responsible for the attacks on the Saudi pipeline, while praising the Houthis for their "ongoing battlefield victories against Saudi forces." The statement said they would cooperate with the Iraqi government's investigation.
- Hewson also said the al-Tayyib border area of the southeastern province of Maysan had been shut after drone launchers were discovered there, and a search operation was under way.
- United States President Donald Trump, who is currently in Ireland on an unofficial visit, said Tehran was “probably” behind the attacks on the pipeline.
- The attack on the East-West oil pipeline took place on Thursday, with Saudi Arabia announcing it was temporarily suspending the route as a “precautionary measure” the following day.