Petro calls his successor ‘servant’ of the United States

Yemen’s Houthi insurgents announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia on Monday in retaliation for the kingdom’s blockade of Yemen and a recent attack on Sana’a international airport. The move threatens one of the most vital waterways for global transportation and reignites fears of renewed conflict.

The reasons behind the announcement

Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, said in a video that the naval blockade takes effect immediately, in what he described as a “tit-for-tat equation.” Nasruddin Amer, deputy director of the Houthi media office, said on social network

Bab al-Mandeb, at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, is the gateway to the Red Sea. 12% of world trade and a quarter of global container trade transit to and from the Suez Canal.

The Saudi response and the impact on oil

The Saudi army assured that it will keep the waterway open. Military spokesman Turki al-Malki stated: “All Houthi threats against transiting vessels will be addressed firmly and expeditiously, as these types of threats are a flagrant violation of international law and fall into the category of acts of maritime piracy.”

Saudi Arabia was already facing pressure by using its East-West pipeline to the Red Sea as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, controlled by Iran since the February 28 attack. Rystad Energy estimates that about 2.5 million barrels of oil a day could be at risk.

The Houthis demonstrated their ability to disrupt shipping by attacking more than 100 vessels during the war between Israel and Hamas. It remains unclear whether they will resume that level of attacks against Saudi Arabia.

The truce reached in 2022 has been threatened after the Saudi attack on Sana’a airport, according to the Houthis, and the subsequent launch of missiles and drones against Abha airport. By allowing an international flight without Saudi approval, the Houthis seek to impose their control over Yemeni airspace.

Saree insisted: “We reaffirm the right of our great people to respond to the blockade with a blockade,” and warned that they are prepared for a “comprehensive and decisive escalation” against the “reckless Saudi enemy.”

Disrupting transit through Bab al-Mandeb would force shipping companies to go around the Cape of Good Hope, increasing costs significantly. The United States government has indicated that this route would add about 4,345 kilometers to the trip from Saudi Arabia.

Putin and Choe Son Hui: high-level diplomacy

Russian President Vladimir Putin received North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui this Sunday in the Kremlin. During the meeting, Putin thanked Pyongyang for its support in military operations against Ukraine, according to the state agency Tass.

Choe’s visit occurs for no obvious reason, such as a multilateral summit or an anniversary. This has sparked speculation about a possible new meeting between Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. North Korean media confirmed that Choe traveled to Russia at the invitation of his counterpart Sergei Lavrov, but did not mention an eventual meeting between the two leaders.

Bilateral talks and mutual support

On Monday, Choe and Lavrov held separate talks. Russia expressed full support for North Korea’s efforts to protect its sovereignty, while Pyongyang reaffirmed its support for Russia in the Ukrainian conflict, the Korean Central News Agency reported.

Putin praised bilateral relations and reiterated his gratitude to the North Korean leadership for supporting his military operations. Choe conveyed that Kim Jong Un remains committed to comprehensively developing ties with Russia.

Cooperation background

Kim visited the Russian Far East for summits with Putin in 2019 and 2023. Last June, during the summit in Pyongyang, the two signed a strategic partnership agreement that promises mutual aid in the face of external aggression.

In recent years, North Korea has prioritized Russia in its foreign policy, sending thousands of soldiers and large supplies of military hardware to support Moscow in Ukraine. In exchange, Pyongyang receives economic assistance and technological transfers that, according to analysts, strengthen its military capabilities.

Kim has also sought to reach out to China, with recent high-level meetings, while promoting the idea of ​​a new Cold War as a united front against the United States.

Impact on the region

Choe’s visit follows diplomatic exchanges between North Korea and China, including meetings between North Korean Premier Pak Thae Song and President Xi Jinping, and senior Chinese official Wang Huning with Kim in Pyongyang.

Kim has suspended all meaningful dialogue with Washington and Seoul since 2019. He is taking advantage of the distraction of the conflict in Ukraine to accelerate his nuclear and missile program, while demanding that the US abandon disarmament demands as a precondition for resuming negotiations.

Escalation between the United States and Iran

The United States launched a new round of airstrikes against Iran at the beginning of the week, hours after confirming the death of another American soldier. Iran responded with offensives against Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain, where the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet is located.

The provisional ceasefire agreement signed last month has fallen apart. Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy, is practically paralyzed. Both sides have attacked civilian infrastructure on which millions of people depend.

Impact on energy markets

The violence sent oil prices soaring. Brent crude oil surpassed $88 per barrel, and regular gasoline in the US rose to $1.05 per liter, putting pressure on consumers ahead of the November legislative elections.

The US Central Command said its ninth consecutive night of strikes targeted Iranian command centers, anti-aircraft batteries and surveillance facilities. The IRNA agency reported at least one death near Tabriz. Other locations were also reached.

The British Maritime Trade Operations Center reported a second ship attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, which was left adrift and on fire. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for attacks on oil tankers in the area.

Tehran also attacked countries allied with the US. Kuwait said its anti-aircraft defenses fired against an incoming barrage. Jordan reported that it shot down three Iranian missiles without damage. Bahrain condemned Iranian drones against its air traffic system.

Yemen’s Houthis, backed by Iran, announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, an alternative route for crude oil exports.

Diplomatic efforts

Pakistan intensified efforts to revive the truce. Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni arrived in Islamabad for talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. His Pakistani counterpart, Mohsin Naqvi, expressed optimism: “God willing, we will have good news.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US remains open to negotiating with Iran, but “it has to be real.” He noted that the door to diplomacy would be if those who want something productive for Iran take control.

Iranian authorities reported at least 50 deaths and 517 injuries in recent rounds of US attacks. Since the conflict began on February 28, 17 US service members have died.