Houthis Attack Saudi Aramco Sites as US Halts Iran Strikes

The conflict involving Iran and the United States showed signs of entering a new phase on Saturday as Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels launched attacks on Saudi Arabian oil facilities, while the U.S. paused direct strikes on Iran for the first time in nearly two weeks. Despite the temporary halt in American military action, regional tensions remained high as the fighting spread beyond the Gulf, raising concerns about the security of energy infrastructure and international shipping routes across the Middle East.

The U.S. military confirmed that its naval blockade of Iran remains fully operational but did not provide a reason for suspending its campaign of nightly strikes. A senior official in President Donald Trump's administration said the president continues to prefer a diplomatic resolution but remains prepared to act if Iran fails to engage in serious negotiations. Reports also indicated there were no Iranian attacks on neighbouring countries on Saturday, breaking a pattern of daily retaliatory strikes seen in recent days.

According to reports, President Trump has temporarily stepped back from plans to intensify military operations against Iran amid concerns over escalating the conflict. Officials reportedly fear that expanding the campaign could strain U.S. defence resources, unsettle Gulf allies, disrupt global energy supplies and negatively affect the world economy. The pause comes as Washington weighs military pressure against diplomatic efforts to prevent a broader regional conflict.

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Meanwhile, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for strikes targeting Saudi Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu. Verified videos circulating on social media showed a large plume of smoke rising near the Aramco refinery in Jizan. Industry sources said fuel and oil storage facilities may have suffered damage, although Saudi Aramco had not issued an official statement. In Yanbu, Saudi air defences reportedly intercepted two ballistic missiles aimed at oil installations using Patriot missile systems operated by Greek personnel under a defence agreement with Riyadh.

The conflict also expanded on another front after Iran accused Ukraine of attacking an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea, alleging the incident killed one sailor and injured another. Tehran summoned Ukraine's chargé d'affaires to protest what it described as a hostile act. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had earlier praised successful long-range strikes in the Caspian region without identifying the vessels involved, while also accusing Russia of providing Iran with satellite intelligence to support military operations.

In Yemen, the Saudi-backed government intensified military operations by launching airstrikes on Houthi positions in Marib and al-Jawf provinces, while the Saudi-led coalition also confirmed attacks on Houthi military targets in Hodeidah. Officials said both sides were mobilising forces as fears grew that Yemen's civil war could escalate after a fragile ceasefire collapsed earlier this month. With Houthi attacks increasingly targeting Saudi oil infrastructure and maritime routes, the widening conflict has heightened concerns over regional stability, global energy markets and the security of critical shipping corridors.

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