Saudi Arabia urges stronger action against Iran amid Houthi threats

The Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed to possess hypersonic missiles that could penetrate Israeli air defenses, escalating tensions in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, which supports the Yemeni government against the Houthis, accuses Iran of supplying these weapons, which have been used in attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. These assaults have significantly reduced maritime traffic, adversely affecting the Egyptian economy due to disruptions in the Suez Canal. In Sana'a, the Houthi leadership celebrated a recent missile attack on Israel, asserting it was a technological achievement by Yemeni technicians. They have warned of further strikes, despite previous attacks failing to penetrate deep into Israeli territory. The Houthis have been a persistent threat, even conducting drone attacks into Saudi Arabia, despite an extensive Saudi bombing campaign that began in 2016. The UN special envoy for Yemen has expressed concerns about the potential for renewed civil war, emphasizing the need for more effective international action to curb Iranian support for the Houthis. Saudi Arabia has refrained from joining US military actions, opting instead for diplomatic efforts to establish a national government in Yemen. The US and UK have conducted limited bombardments of Houthi positions, but these have not restored commercial shipping traffic. The ongoing conflict has forced shipping companies to reroute vessels around Africa, incurring significant additional costs and time delays, highlighting the broader implications of the Houthi threat on regional stability and global trade.