Yemen’s Houthis launch Israel strike, the first of the Iran war
Protesters, mainly Houthi supporters, demonstrate in solidarity with Palestinians in Sanaa, Yemen, on August 1, 2025.
Khalid Abdullah | Reuters
The Houthis in Yemen launched a missile attack on Israel, the group said on Saturday. Tehran-backed militias intervened for the first time in the US-Israeli-led war against Iran, which is in its second month.
“The Yemeni Armed Forces carried out the first military operation using a barrage of ballistic missiles targeting sensitive Israeli military sites,” Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said. to post In X.
Saree said that the attack was aimed at supporting the Iranian regime and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.
Israel Defense Forces in question They “detected a missile launched from Yemen towards Israel,” adding that air defenses intercepted the threat.
This move by the Houthis indicates an escalation of the conflict that started with air strikes by the USA and Israel against Iranian targets on February 28.
Analysts told CNBC that the Houthis may try to stop maritime traffic in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which separates the Arabian Peninsula from the Horn of Africa (which ships must pass through to reach the Red Sea and Suez Canal), increasing pressure on global trade.
Danish shipping giant Maersk, widely considered the barometer of global trade, said in early March that the situation in the Middle East had prompted it to halt future trans-Suez services via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until further notice.
Bab el-Mandeb Strait estimated It will account for 12% of seaborne oil trade and 8% of liquefied natural gas trade in the first half of 2023.
Before the war, Iranian forces effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil resources are transported.
Oil prices closed at their highest level in more than three years on Friday after President Donald Trump’s push for talks with Iran failed to ease market fears about a massive supply disruption in the Middle East.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil price, one year
US crude oil Oil prices increased by 5.46 percent and closed at $99.64 per barrel. International benchmark Brent crude oil prices increased by 4.22% to $112.57.
Trump’s move to privilege Iran 10 day extension The opening of the strategically vital Bosphorus has failed to address supply concerns. The president said in a social media post on Thursday that talks with Iran were “going very well” despite “inaccurate statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media and others.”
As part of the announcement, the US president said he would pause attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure until April 6. Iran has yet to comment on Trump’s latest remarks.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
