The Iranian military has pledged to block crude oil and gas shipments from the Persian Gulf in response to ongoing American airstrikes. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to exports as long as U.S. military operations persist in the area. Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, condemned these actions as a total rejection of the Islamabad-brokered Memorandum of Understanding.
President Donald Trump, during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House, dismissed Iranian influence and described the nation as a regional aggressor that previously intimidated its neighbors. While the administration claims the Middle East is uniting, Iran continues its retaliatory campaign against Gulf states, including reported strikes in Bahrain.
Tensions escalated further as Houthi forces launched drone and ballistic missile attacks against Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia. This retaliation occurred after Saudi-backed forces damaged the runway at Sanaa airport to prevent an Iranian flight from landing. The Houthis also reported the downing of a Saudi-operated Wing Loong II drone over the Al-Bayda Governorate and issued a warning for commercial aircraft to stay clear of Saudi airspace.
