Rubio, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister hold talks on Yemen, Hormuz Strait

Pakistan and Turkiye are sending their military chiefs to Riyadh for urgent talks with Saudi Arabia regarding their mutual defense agreement, prompted by escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi territory. The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed in August, stipulates that an attack on one signatory is an attack on all. Saudi Arabia requested this meeting to explore support under the pact following recent Houthi missile and drone strikes, including those targeting Riyadh and oil facilities. While Saudi Arabia views the crisis urgently, Pakistan and Turkiye have adopted a more cautious tone in their public statements, focusing on institutionalizing the agreement rather than explicitly mentioning the Houthi threat. Analysts suggest this caution may stem from Houthi warnings to allied nations.

Middle Eastern governments are preparing for increased conflict following Iran's claim of intelligence indicating the US is planning renewed bombing. This comes amid heightened tensions before the UN General Assembly, with President Trump reportedly considering options including "wiping Iran out." The situation is partly fueled by recent attacks on Riyadh by Yemen's Houthi rebels, which the US views as Iranian-backed. Iran has warned of retaliation against US bases and interests if attacked, potentially extending to naval forces. The US State Department has issued a security alert to citizens in the Middle East due to the complex security environment and potential for escalation.

Yemenis are fleeing across the Red Sea to Djibouti due to an escalation in fighting between Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed forces. Over 3,000 refugees have arrived in Djibouti in recent days, with the UN estimating over 120,000 Yemenis displaced by the surge in conflict along the Red Sea coast. The Houthis advanced down the coast towards Bab al-Mandab, prompting hundreds of Saudi air strikes. The refugees stated that the bombs falling around them caused their flight, not the specific warring factions. Djibouti, situated across the water from Yemen, has stated it will not involve itself in the conflict.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud stated that the threat from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis extends globally, particularly impacting critical shipping routes in the Red Sea. This warning came after Saudi forces intercepted six ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis towards the kingdom. Prince Faisal emphasized the need for international cooperation to address this threat, noting that while Saudi Arabia can defend itself, the responsibility lies with the entire international community. He confirmed ongoing coordination with the U.S. and other allies, despite reports that President Trump declined Saudi requests for direct military intervention against the Houthis. The Houthis' territorial advances in Yemen have heightened concerns over control of the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital passage for international trade and Saudi oil exports.

Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan are planning an urgent meeting of their chiefs of staff to discuss support for Saudi Arabia under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. This follows a meeting between the foreign ministers of the three nations. The agreement, signed in August, stipulates that an attack on one member is an attack on all. The announcement comes amid intensified Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including missile launches towards Taif and Yanbu, and significant fighting within Yemen that has caused widespread displacement. France has also offered defensive military support to Saudi Arabia.

Recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure and military sites are testing a regional mutual defense pact signed a month prior with Pakistan and Turkey. Military chiefs from the three nations met in Riyadh on Friday for the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. They reaffirmed their commitment to collective defense and discussed intelligence cooperation, military coordination, and capability integration. However, the article does not specify any military support Pakistan and Turkey would provide to Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis are fighting to control the Kahboub Mountains in southern Yemen, a strategic area overlooking the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a vital global shipping route. This offensive, which began after the Houthis seized much of Yemen's Red Sea coast, aims to consolidate their control and defend their newly captured territory. Experts suggest that controlling the high ground would provide defensive depth, making it harder for government forces to push back and easier for the Houthis to sustain operations in the Red Sea. While the Houthis have stated they will not target US shipping, they have attacked vessels in the past. The renewed fighting signals an end to a period of relative calm and could significantly alter the balance of power in Yemen's ongoing war.

Houthi fighters are advancing to seize strategic terrain in Yemen, potentially cutting off the Red Sea coast from Saudi-backed forces. This comes after US President Donald Trump reportedly called off planned airstrikes against the Houthis at the last minute, following a plea from Saudi Arabia. The Houthis have been rapidly gaining control of Yemen's Red Sea coast and are nearing the Bab al-Mandab strait, a crucial route for Saudi oil exports. Trump's decision to reverse course on airstrikes followed a call from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, despite previous resistance from Trump to join the conflict. The escalating fighting has displaced tens of thousands of people, and the UN reports at least 125,000 displaced since September.

Gulf states have postponed a crucial meeting with Iran concerning the Strait of Hormuz due to a lack of Arab consensus and escalating Saudi anger over Iran's support for Houthi rebels in Yemen. This delay coincides with intensified Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi military targets, including King Khalid airbase, and a recent drone attack that shut down Saudi Arabia's east-west oil pipeline. The Houthi seizure of Yemen's Bab al-Mandab strait, another vital waterway, along with the pipeline closure and meeting postponement, contributed to a rise in oil prices. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held discussions with the US CENTCOM chief regarding regional developments. The postponed meeting aimed to discuss a temporary shipping route, but Iran has set preconditions for any agreement.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, experienced its first air raid alerts since Houthi attacks escalated, with residents later receiving an all-clear after reported explosions. These attacks on Saudi oil assets have impacted global energy markets, raising fuel prices. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has requested US military action against the Houthis, but President Trump has offered intelligence and targeting support instead. The Houthis claim these actions are retaliation for Saudi airstrikes. The UN Security Council met to discuss regional stability and the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, with Yemen's government and Saudi Arabia calling for more decisive action against the Houthis.

Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, are conducting air attacks to counter Houthi advances, particularly in attempts to retake the strategic port city of Mocha. The Houthis recently captured Mocha and Mayyun Island, consolidating their control over the vital Bab al-Mandeb strait. These intensified clashes have displaced tens of thousands of Yemenis. Government forces are regrouping in Marib, aiming to restore control of Sanaa and other areas. Saudi Arabia has reportedly carried out over 100 air strikes in the past 48 hours, targeting Houthi positions and military buildups. Analysts suggest internal divisions within government forces are hindering their efforts against the Houthis.

China has stated its willingness to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with Iran and safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi conveyed this to his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, during a meeting in Beijing. Wang also commented that the current situation highlights flaws in the Middle East's existing security architecture, suggesting it needs reform. He encouraged Iran and the US to remain rational and restrained, urging all parties to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and prevent regional tensions from escalating to Yemen and the Red Sea. China, a major economic partner of Iran, aims to promote peace and justice in the region.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in China on Wednesday. This meeting occurs as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate Middle East conflicts have stalled. The talks are taking place as Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares for a summit with US President Donald Trump next week, where Iran and the Strait of Hormuz are expected to be discussed. Fighting has resumed in Yemen between Iran-aligned Houthis and Yemeni government forces, as well as Saudi Arabia. A planned regional meeting involving Iran, Iraq, and Gulf Cooperation Council nations to address conflicts and the Strait of Hormuz was postponed indefinitely, reportedly due to Saudi Arabian objections.

Talks between Iran and Gulf Arab states in Oman have been postponed at the request of some regional countries, according to Iranian media. The decision was a joint one by Tehran and Muscat, with Oman's Foreign Minister stating the delay was "in the interests of consensus" and to foster dialogue supporting regional stability. This postponement occurred shortly after an attack on an Iranian cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Oman has been a mediator in regional disputes and is directly affected by navigation issues in the Strait of Hormuz. Previously, Oman proposed a regional mechanism for shared control and voluntary fees for vessels transiting the strait, a proposal Iran rejected, advocating for compulsory payments.

The Houthis are threatening further attacks on Saudi cities, while renewed fighting in Yemen has displaced an estimated 100,000 people, prompting the UN to warn of a humanitarian crisis. Qatar has expressed alarm over the potential Houthi control of the Bab al-Mandab strait, a crucial shipping route, warning of catastrophic global consequences. Saudi oil exports are impacted, with loadings suspended at Yanbu and the East-West pipeline closed due to Houthi attacks. The UN Security Council has called for Houthi restraint, and Iran is seeking China's involvement in resolving related disputes over the Strait of Hormuz. The US has rejected Saudi pleas for direct military involvement, while the UK is unlikely to offer direct military support without US instruction.

Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline, a crucial artery bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, has been temporarily closed following drone attacks. The 1,200km pipeline, which transports approximately 4 to 5 million barrels of oil per day, links eastern oil fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. This shutdown, described as a precautionary measure due to damage and injuries, impacts up to 5% of global oil supply. The closure exacerbates existing disruptions to oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, which have been severely reduced due to the US-Israel war on Iran. While Saudi Arabia has some buffer from existing stocks, the prolonged closure could further deplete global inventories and potentially lead to higher oil prices.

Oil prices have surged above $108 a barrel following drone attacks launched from Iraq that forced Saudi Arabia to close its east-west crude pipeline. This closure threatens to deplete Saudi oil export stocks within days, impacting approximately 4% of global supply. The attacks, attributed by US President Donald Trump to Iran, occurred amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, including Houthi forces capturing the Bab al-Mandab strait. In response to these disruptions, AI industry leaders are calling for a slowdown in "reckless" AI development, proposing safety standards and international coordination. Separately, a report by B'Tselem accuses Israel of systematically eliminating conditions for Palestinian collective life in the West Bank.

Iran-aligned Houthi forces have captured the strategic island of Perim (Mayun) in Yemen's Bab al-Mandab strait, a vital global shipping route. This advance follows the loss of the port city of Mocha by forces allied with the UN-backed Yemeni government. The Bab al-Mandab strait connects Asia and Europe via the Red Sea and Suez Canal, and Saudi Arabia relies on it for oil exports. The Houthi control, alongside potential Iranian influence in the Strait of Hormuz, could strengthen anti-western forces' hold on global energy shipments. Iran has publicly supported the Houthi advances. The escalating conflict has caused significant displacement, with over 46,000 people fleeing in the past week.

Houthi forces have captured Yemen's entire Red Sea coastline, reaching the crucial Bab al-Mandeb shipping gateway after seizing the port city of Mocha. This rapid offensive, which resumed last week, gives the Iran-backed group significant control over a vital global trade route. The Houthis had previously declared a blockade on Saudi-flagged ships and have been launching attacks on vessels passing through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which is increasingly relied upon by Saudi Arabia for oil exports following blockades of the Strait of Hormuz. Experts warn that Houthi control of this corridor could exacerbate the global energy crisis and further damage Saudi oil exports, with potential implications for the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

The Iran-backed Houthis have claimed a significant advance in Yemen, reportedly seizing the strategic island of Perim, which lies on a major Red Sea shipping route. This escalation of conflict, which began a week ago with a Houthi offensive in the south-west, has led to hundreds of deaths and thousands displaced. The Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait are crucial for Saudi Arabia's oil shipments to Asia, and the intensified fighting has contributed to rising oil prices. In response to the Houthi actions, a Saudi-led coalition has conducted air strikes in western Yemen, while the Houthis have launched missiles and drones at Saudi targets. The International Organization for Migration reports that at least 46,000 people have been displaced by the conflict, with families fleeing multiple times.

Yemen's Houthi rebels' escalating attacks on Saudi Arabia and threats to the Bab al-Mandeb strait raise the possibility of activating the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkiye. This pact, established in September 2025 and expanded in August 2026, aims to bolster regional defense as US security guarantees recede. While Pakistan's Defense Minister stated that unprovoked aggression against Saudi Arabia would operationalize the agreement, the specific form of intervention remains undefined. Similar to NATO, any intervention would likely require a direct request from Saudi Arabia, specifying the type of assistance needed. Currently, Riyadh has not invoked the pact, and diplomatic efforts are underway, with Pakistan and Turkiye urging Iran to control the Houthis. If diplomacy fails, Pakistan and Turkiye might increase air and technological support.

Saudi authorities reported that drones launched from Iraq caused a temporary shutdown of the crucial East-West oil pipeline on Friday. This pipeline is vital for Saudi oil exports, particularly since the Strait of Hormuz has been affected by the ongoing Middle East war. The attacks, which resulted in some injuries and damage, originated from Iraq's Maysan province, leading to the dismissal of its commander. The Iraqi prime minister's office confirmed the attack's origin and condemned it. Saudi Arabia stated it would not retaliate at this stage, supporting Iraq's efforts to prevent such attacks. The incident occurred as Houthi forces expanded their control in the Bab al-Mandab strait, a key shipping route.

Saudi Arabia is urging the United States to take direct military action against Iran-backed Houthis following their seizure of key positions along Yemen's Bab al-Mandab Strait. This strategic waterway is a critical global shipping choke point. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly discussed the escalating situation with President Donald Trump, who stated Washington would provide intelligence and targeting support but not direct military action for now. U.S. Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper traveled to Saudi Arabia for coordination talks. Experts suggest Iran is leveraging the Houthi advance to regain maritime leverage as pressure on the Strait of Hormuz intensifies. The Houthis' recent gains, including the port of Mocha and the island of Mayyun, follow years of rebuilding military strength since a 2022 truce.

Renewed fighting in Yemen has resulted in over 900 casualties and forced at least 5,000 families to flee their homes in less than a week. The conflict, which re-erupted this month between the Houthis and the internationally recognized government, has intensified significantly, particularly following the Houthis' capture of the entire Red Sea coast. Displaced families, like Aman Murshed and her five children, are struggling to find shelter and basic necessities, with many receiving no support from humanitarian organizations. The United Nations reports that displacement is rising hourly, with an estimated 46,000 people having fled their homes since the recent clashes began. These renewed hostilities have dashed hopes of return for those previously displaced, leaving them in precarious conditions with limited access to food, shelter, and essential support.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reports that over 46,000 people have been displaced in Yemen due to escalating fighting between Houthi rebels and government forces. This figure is reportedly rising hourly. The IOM is calling for safe humanitarian access and protection for civilians and aid workers. Many families are fleeing for the second or third time, often with few possessions, after the Houthi rebels captured the strategically important Red Sea port city of Mocha. The UN also expressed concern over the Houthis seizing a key humanitarian compound in Mocha, emphasizing the need to protect humanitarian personnel and facilities. The conflict has intensified with reports of Houthis now controlling Yemen's entire Red Sea coast.