War Iran USA, media: Houthis conquer other islands in the southern Red Sea
Pro-Iranian Yemeni Houthi rebels have taken control of other islands in the southern part of the Red Sea, including the Hanish Islands.
Quick Look
- Houthi rebels have seized the Hanish islands in the Red Sea, escalating regional tensions.
- At the same time, there are protests in Syria over the high cost of fuel and diplomatic tensions between Iran, the USA and Austria regarding the nuclear program.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Red Sea region is the scene of growing tensions due to the activities of the Houthi rebels who threaten commercial shipping. The situation is worsened by international sanctions and disputes over Iran's nuclear program.
Pro-Iranian Yemeni rebels have taken control of other islands in the southern part of the Red Sea. This was reported by the Associated Press news agency, citing Yemeni government officials and sources within the rebels, according to whom fighters have conquered the Hanish Islands, located about 160 kilometers north of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Last week, the Houthis had captured the port city of Al-Mokha and the island of Perim.
Norway is considering a law that would ban trade with West Bank settlements with penalties of up to three years in prison. This was stated by Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide to the public broadcaster Nrk, underlining that the arguments in favor "have further strengthened because the situation in the West Bank has worsened even more".
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the US opposed the participation of the head of Iran's nuclear agency in the annual conference of the UN nuclear watchdog because "he is a sanctioned entity and we don't want those entities to evade the sanctions placed on them".
Oil prices continue to rally, boosted by the temporary closure of a key pipeline in Saudi Arabia following attacks and the postponement of a meeting between Gulf countries and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures rose 3.36% to $108.12.
European stock markets widen their declines while oil and gas do not stop their rise. Investors' attention is focused on developments in tensions in the Middle East. In the Old Continent black jersey for Milan (-1.3%).
Protests in Syria against rising fuel prices continue for the second day, with road blocks and burning tires in several regions. The increase, in force since Sunday, has brought diesel fuel from 125 to 175 Syrian pounds per liter (+40%).
According to the Qatari newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, the Egyptian authorities have rejected a Houthi proposal to establish a direct communication channel with the Suez Canal Authority regarding safety and freedom of navigation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Yemen's Houthis said they launched dozens of drones and ballistic missiles at military targets in Saudi Arabia, in retaliation for Riyadh's airstrikes.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Continuation of tensions in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What will be the international response to the conquest of the Hanish Islands?
- How will crude oil prices evolve in the short term?
