Along the ancient maritime corridors of the Gulf and Red Sea, a conflict long fought through proxies has crossed a threshold into something more direct and more dangerous. Saudi airstrikes on Houthi positions in Hodeida and Kamaran island have drawn fresh vows of retaliation, while Iran's simultaneous blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and American military operations across the region suggest that what was once a contained proxy war has become a multi-front confrontation with no clear off-ramp. The decisions now being weighed in Washington, Tehran, and Riyadh carry consequences that extend far
Houthis vow retaliation as Middle East conflict spreads across new fronts
Two Houthis reported wounded in Saudi strikes; US forces disabled merchant vessel M/T Lavine; multiple drone and missile attacks reported across Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain with casualties status unclear.