Yemen's Houthi rebels have seized the strategic islands of Greater and Lesser Hanish in the southern Red Sea, enhancing their control over a significant maritime shipping route. This development comes as Saudi-backed government forces attempt to regain territory from the Houthis around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, an alternative shipping route to the Strait of Hormuz.
Repairs to a crucial Saudi Arabian oil pipeline that was damaged in an attack last week are expected to take three to five weeks, leaving it mostly out of service, according to two regional officials. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, indicated that the pipeline may operate partially during the repair process.
Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's traded oil and gas transits in peacetime, prompting Saudi Arabia to utilize the Bab el-Mandeb Strait for crude oil exports. The Houthis' recent takeover, following their capture of the Red Sea port of Mokha and another strategic island last week, increases pressure on Saudi shipments and could impact global oil supplies and prices.
China, a major importer of Middle Eastern oil, condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure as "unacceptable" and expressed concern over potential escalations.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated that Saudi Arabia had requested the cancellation of a meeting intended to bring together Iran and other regional countries to discuss the Strait of Hormuz. Baghaei characterized the meeting, which was to be hosted by Oman, as a "proper opportunity" for regional security restoration. He noted that an agreement between Iran and Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz has been finalized and will be announced soon.
Saudi Arabia has proposed amendments to the agreement, citing concerns about its long-term implications for the Strait of Hormuz and its effects on other Gulf Cooperation Council countries, according to a Gulf official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Iran criticized Austria for denying visas to the Iranian nuclear chief and other delegation members for the International Atomic Energy Agency's general conference in Vienna, calling the decision "completely unjustified." Baghaei accused Western countries of obstructing Iran's ability to defend itself and blamed the U.S. for pressuring Austria. The visa refusal is part of U.N. sanctions on Iran, reinstated last year, which include a travel ban on Iranian officials.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright criticized Iran's lack of cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog, particularly its refusal to allow inspectors access to nuclear sites affected by the conflict. He stated that Iran had "ample time to address its egregious negligence" regarding its obligations. Wright also discussed the U.S.-Saudi nuclear accord, signed in July, which could allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium for its civilian nuclear program.
In Yemen, nearly 94,000 people have been displaced due to escalating clashes between Houthi rebels and government forces, according to the International Organization for Migration. The worst-affected areas are Taiz and Lahj, with over 48,000 displaced individuals. The U.N. agency reported that more than 2,000 people have fled to Djibouti, and around 200 schools have been converted into shelters for families.
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on Monday resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to several others, as confirmed by hospital officials and the health ministry. The Israeli military stated that the strikes targeted militants.
The B'Tselem human rights group reported that Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank are aimed at undermining Palestinian existence and entrenching a system of Jewish supremacy. The report highlighted the surge in settler violence under the current Israeli government.
The U.S. Treasury Department imposed full sanctions on VTB Bank, one of Russia's largest financial institutions, as part of efforts to disrupt Iran's financial networks. The impact of these sanctions remains uncertain, as previous sanctions had already been issued against the bank following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.