Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Monday declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. The move has opened a new front in the Iran-US conflict and created major risks to international energy supplies and trade routes, including through the Red Sea’s Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
In a statement, the Houthis’ armed forces said they were imposing an immediate maritime ban on Saudi ships on an “eye for an eye” basis in response to Saudi Arabia’s “unjust and oppressive blockade.” The Saudi-led coalition reacted sharply, warning it would respond with force.
The announcement came as two US soldiers were killed in an Iranian attack on a US base in Jordan; the Pentagon released their identities on Monday. Another US soldier was killed while disabling an Iranian drone in northern Iraq. The United States said it had carried out fresh strikes on Iran.
Both sides are continuing diplomatic efforts toward a possible ceasefire. Iran said it had received a proposal for a 10-day ceasefire, and Pakistan has become active in mediation. Tehran and Washington are continuing talks to preserve a fragile agreement signed last month.
Oil prices rose briefly on international markets after the Houthi announcement before easing again. Analysts say global oil supply could fall by 7 percent if the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is closed. President Donald Trump, stating a tough stance against Iran, said Iran would pay a many-fold price for killing US soldiers.
With regional tensions rising further, the international community has called for a swift diplomatic solution.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report