US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Saudi Arabia has vowed a strong response after Iran-backed Houthi forces launched a wave of attacks on energy facilities and other targets in the kingdom, triggering fires, operational disruptions and a fresh escalation in the wider Middle East conflict.
Saudi authorities said 73 people, including women and children, were injured in the attacks across southern Saudi Arabia. Energy facilities in Abha, Najran and Jazan were among the sites affected, while fires broke out and some operations were temporarily halted.
Why Did Houthis Attack Saudi Arabia?
The Houthis have intensified their campaign against Saudi Arabia amid the broader US-Iran conflict. The Iran-aligned group has targeted Saudi energy infrastructure and shipping while threatening a blockade of Saudi vessels through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandab Strait.
The latest attacks hit several southern locations, including Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran. Houthi military officials said ballistic missiles and drones were used against Aramco facilities and other targets.
Saudi Arabia Warns Houthis of Strong Retaliation
Saudi Arabia has condemned the attacks as a dangerous escalation and said it would take necessary operational measures to protect its facilities and workers.
The Saudi-led coalition also signalled that it would respond firmly to the Houthi campaign as fighting intensifies around Yemen and the strategically important Red Sea corridor.
Oil Facilities Hit as Fires Break Out
The attacks have raised fresh concerns about Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure. Reuters reported that operations at some energy facilities were halted after the strikes, while emergency teams worked to control fires and assess the damage.
The attacks reportedly targeted facilities linked to Saudi oil giant Aramco in Abha, Najran and Jazan. The full extent of the damage remains under assessment.
Why Is Bab el-Mandab Strait So Important?
The Bab el-Mandab Strait is one of the world’s key maritime chokepoints, connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and providing an important route for oil tankers and other commercial vessels.
The latest escalation is particularly significant because shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has already been disrupted amid the wider US-Iran conflict. Any prolonged disruption around Bab el-Mandeb could further complicate global energy supplies and put additional pressure on oil prices.
Saudi-Houthi Fighting Adds to Middle East War
The renewed Saudi-Houthi confrontation comes as the wider Middle East conflict continues to spread. The Houthis have increasingly become involved in the regional crisis, while Saudi Arabia faces pressure from attacks on its territory and energy infrastructure.
The latest violence also threatens to deepen instability in Yemen, where years of conflict had been followed by a period of relative calm before hostilities intensified again.
Oil Prices Surge as Saudi Energy Sites Come Under Attack
The latest strikes immediately added to concerns about global oil supplies. Brent crude climbed toward the $100-a-barrel mark, with Reuters reporting Brent around $98 and U.S. crude above $93 during Tuesday trading.
Another market report showed Brent briefly moving above $99, while WTI reached its highest level in more than three months.
Wall Street Falls as Oil Prices Rise
Higher oil prices also weighed on U.S. stocks as Wall Street returned from the three-day weekend.
The S&P 500 was down about 0.4%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped roughly 575 points, or 1.1%. The Nasdaq Composite slipped around 0.1%.
Investors are increasingly concerned that prolonged energy disruptions could push inflation higher and complicate the outlook for interest rates.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus will be on Saudi Arabia’s response and whether the latest exchange of strikes expands into a broader confrontation. Markets will also closely watch the condition of Saudi energy facilities and shipping through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb.
With the Strait of Hormuz already under severe pressure, another major disruption to a key oil route could send crude prices even higher and create fresh risks for the global economy.
