US President Donald Trump has vowed to inflict major military punishment on Iran and its Houthi allies after the Yemeni fighters struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.
Escalating Tensions
The attacks have extended the Middle East war to a second major shipping chokepoint, sparking fears of disruption to global oil supplies and sending oil prices surging. Brent crude rose more than 6%, piercing the $100 a barrel mark for the first time since May.
The US military has launched air strikes on Iran for a 13th consecutive night, prompting Iran to fire at neighboring Arab countries that host US bases. Iranian state media reported that missiles struck Qeshm Island on the Strait of Hormuz, while four people were killed and five injured in a US missile attack on the Iranian city of Ahvaz.
Trump’s Warning
Trump has warned that if the Houthis carry out further attacks, the US will hold Iran responsible and inflict major military punishment. He told Axios that he is considering re-launching major combat operations in Iran and is close to a decision.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arachi responded to Trump’s warning, saying that seizing another nation’s assets to pay for unrelated future claims is an incendiary precedent that could lead to chaos.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
