Sporazum med ZDA in Savdsko Arabijo: Trump ponovno dvomi o jedrski pogodbi z Riadom

A pro-Iranian militia in Yemen has claimed responsibility for attacking a Saudi Arabian oil tanker in the Red Sea. The vessel, named NCC Ghazal, reportedly violated a naval blockade imposed by the Houthi group, according to statements made by the group's television channel, Al-Masira. The Houthi militia said the tanker ignored warnings and was forced to turn back after several rockets were fired at it. This marks the latest escalation in tensions between the Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia, which has been engaged in a regional conflict since 2015. The attack comes amid ongoing hostilities between the Houthi rebels and Saudi-led forces. In recent weeks, the Houthi group announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea and has allegedly targeted Saudi oil tankers and facilities since then. On Monday, the group reported drone attacks on key points related to oil transportation near the port city of Jambu on the Red Sea. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has conducted military operations against targets in areas controlled by the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Houthi militia, backed by Iran, has been active in the region for years, seeking to challenge Saudi influence and expand its control over parts of Yemen. The conflict has seen periodic lulls, particularly following a UN-mediated ceasefire agreement in 2022. However, recent exchanges of fire have effectively ended this de facto pause in hostilities. The Houthi attacks on the NCC Ghazal indicate a renewed offensive strategy aimed at disrupting Saudi oil exports through the Red Sea. Separately, Iranian media outlets reported that an oil tanker exploded in the Strait of Hormuz after deviating from its designated route and hitting a mine. According to reports from state-affiliated agencies, the Defapress and Tasnim, the tanker had previously turned off its radar system. Details regarding the incident remain sparse, with no further information provided about the cause or extent of the damage. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical artery for global energy trade, and Iran has long asserted control over the waterway, demanding compliance with specific shipping routes. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have indicated that President Donald Trump is allowing space for negotiations with Iran regarding an end to the conflict. Ambassador Mike Waltz stated that Trump is giving the talks some room, allowing them time to develop. The United States has conducted airstrikes against Iran for 13 consecutive nights but paused their attacks over the weekend. There has been no official explanation from the U.S. military regarding the pause, though reports suggest internal concerns within the administration about dwindling supplies of military equipment used by Gulf states to defend against Iranian threats. Iran has also reportedly halted its retaliatory strikes following two nights without U.S. attacks. Army spokesperson Mohammed Akraminia stated that Iran’s strategy primarily relied on retaliation, and thus they stopped their countermeasures. He added that the U.S. is currently in a “difficult and unstable” situation and likely searching for a new strategy. Trump had previously mentioned considering more extensive attacks on Iran but has opted instead to engage in discussions with Tehran, which he described as becoming increasingly serious in its approach. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alleged that Russia is sharing satellite imagery of the Middle East with Iran, enabling the latter to conduct attacks in the region. He noted that since early July, Ukraine has observed Russian satellites monitoring Gulf states and U.S. military installations in the area. These images later appeared in Iran, suggesting a direct link between Russian surveillance and Iranian military actions both before and after attacks. Additionally, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps has reportedly blocked six commercial vessels from passing through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. According to the state-aligned agency Tasnim, the Guard asserts control over a vast area in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, equivalent to about two-thirds of Germany’s territory. The Guard emphasized that no ship can proceed without adhering to Iranian regulations, highlighting the increasing assertiveness of Iran in controlling maritime traffic in the region.