Putin receives North Korean foreign minister and praises support in conflict

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.

Petro’s last speech: accusations and warnings

Gustavo Petro delivered his last message as president of Colombia before thousands of followers in the south of Bogotá, during the commemoration of Independence Day. There he described his successor, Abelardo de la Espriella, as a “servant” of the United States.

“The next president of Colombia will be a servant of the rulers of the United States who helped him, in quotes, to elect; then we went from the status of Republic to the status of viceroyalty again,” he stated.

Petro assured that there was “fraud” in the second round of elections and that he will present evidence. He argued that Donald Trump ordered his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, to take charge of Colombia, and that Rubio acted as a personal friend of De la Espriella.

The response of the president-elect

Hours before, De la Espriella led the patriotic events in Medellín. There he paid tribute to soldiers and police, and stated that the people of Antioquia “decided to defeat tyranny to defend democracy.”

Petro compared the current moment with the independence of Spain in 1810. He said that it was time to give “the second cry for independence” and called for breaking a vase, alluding to the historical episode that triggered the separation of Spanish rule.

The outgoing president warned that if the next government tries to eliminate social reforms from its mandate, it will call for a national strike and protests. He also threatened to break political alliances: no party that votes for De la Espriella’s candidate to preside over the Senate will have support in the 2027 regional elections.

“No ally who votes for fascism in the Senate will have support from the popular force,” said Petro, who will take over as head of the opposition.

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.