EditIran escalates attacks in Strait of Hormuz while Trump proposes blockade and fees
Adding to the volatility, Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement fired missiles at Saudi Arabia’s Abha airport, breaking years of relative calm
Iran has intensified its campaign in the Strait of Hormuz, launching cruise missile strikes on multiple oil tankers, including two incidents reported by the UAE that killed at least one sailor.
These attacks come amid renewed US military strikes on Iranian targets, including facilities in Bandar Abbas, as the fragile ceasefire continues to unravel. Traffic through the critical waterway has slowed to multi-week lows amid heightened safety risks.
In a notable development, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he wants Gulf nations to reimburse the United States for its role in protecting the Strait of Hormuz. Trump suggested the U.S. could impose a blockade and collect fees from passing vessels, a proposal that has raised eyebrows given the strait’s status as a vital international chokepoint for global energy flows. The idea contrasts with long-standing principles of free navigation and could further complicate diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.
The latest flare-up occurs against the backdrop of broader regional instability, with Iranian actions threatening to disrupt oil markets and international shipping.
Houthi-Saudi flare-up adds to regional tensions
Adding to the volatility, Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement fired missiles at Saudi Arabia on 13 July, targeting Abha airport in the kingdom’s southern region and breaking years of relative calm under a 2022 truce. Saudi forces intercepted the missiles, according to the Saudi-led coalition.
The escalation followed Houthi accusations that Saudi Arabia (or forces backed by Riyadh) struck Sanaa International Airport to block an Iranian plane from landing. Yemen’s internationally recognised government confirmed targeting the runway to prevent the landing, citing sovereignty concerns, after which the aircraft reportedly diverted to Hodeidah. The Houthis also detained an International Committee of the Red Cross plane at Sanaa airport, though staff were reported safe. A recent prisoner exchange deal had already collapsed, highlighting deepening fractures.
This Houthi-Saudi exchange risks reopening a front along Saudi Arabia’s southern border, potentially complicating Gulf security dynamics at a time when attention is focused on the Hormuz strait and US-Iran hostilities.
The flare-up serves as a stark reminder of the interconnected web of Iran-backed proxies across the region. While the Houthis operate with significant autonomy, their actions – timed amid Iranian strikes in the Strait of Hormuz – underscore Tehran’s enduring ability to project influence through allied militias, even as it faces direct US pressure. With multiple flashpoints from Yemen to the Gulf now active, the risk of broader escalation remains high.
With Reuters
Caption: A handout screen grab taken from a video released on 13 July 2026 made available by the Houthis-run al-Masirah TV shows airstrikes hitting Sana’a airport, in Sana’a, Yemen, 13 July 2026. The Yemeni internationally recognized government said that its forces have targeted the runway at Sana’a airport in the Houthi-controlled capital to block an Iranian plane from landing. EPA/HOUTHIS RUN AL-MASIRAH TV HANDOUT
Updated: July 14, 2026 - 06:39
