ALBAWABA- U.S. President Donald Trump has formally notified Congress of his decision to resume military pressure and sanctions against Iran, including the reinstatement of what he described as a targeted "Iranian blockade" in the Strait of Hormuz, as regional tensions intensified following Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia.
In a statement, Trump said the renewed blockade would apply exclusively to Iranian vessels and entities linked to Tehran while allowing unrestricted passage for ships from other countries through the strategic waterway.
He also announced that the United States would impose a 20% fee on the value of commercial shipments transiting the Strait of Hormuz to finance maritime security operations, reinforcing Washington's role as the self-declared "Guardian of the Strait of Hormuz."
The announcement came hours after Yemen's Houthi movement claimed responsibility for a missile and drone attack targeting Abha International Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the operation was carried out in retaliation for Saudi-led coalition airstrikes on Sana'a International Airport, which reportedly prevented an Iranian aircraft carrying a Houthi delegation from landing. The aircraft was later diverted to Hodeidah on Yemen's Red Sea coast.
The Saudi-led coalition said its air defense systems intercepted ballistic missile threats targeting the Kingdom's southern region. Saudi authorities have not yet released a final assessment of casualties or damage.
The Houthis subsequently declared an end to the fragile truce with Saudi Arabia and warned of further attacks, including what they described as "air sanctions" against Saudi airports unless restrictions on Sana'a International Airport are lifted.
The latest developments come amid an escalating confrontation between Washington and Tehran following recent U.S. strikes on Iranian military targets and Iranian retaliatory actions in the Gulf.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly one-fifth of global oil supplies pass, has become a focal point of the crisis, while renewed Houthi operations have heightened concerns over security in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea.
Simultaneous instability in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab could threaten global energy supplies, disrupt international shipping, increase insurance and transportation costs, and further undermine efforts to de-escalate conflicts across the Middle East.
