Before the midterms: Trump accuses Iran and warns Houthis of consequences for their attacks
The US president said the Houthis resumed attacks on Saudi Arabia at Iran's instigation to push up oil prices ahead of the November 3 vote, and warned them of later consequences.
In remarks to reporters he touched on the possibility of seeking support from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on behalf of Saudi Arabia, at a time when Ankara made an official call to Riyadh confirming its solidarity. Trump's comments came amid the closure of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh for several days following attacks that resulted in dead and wounded, according to Saudi authorities, while diplomatic pressure continued to try to limit escalation.
Analysts linked the escalation of attacks to attempts to influence energy markets and international shipping routes, including the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, while oil prices fluctuated as markets awaited any new US move after the vote.
The White House did not announce a timetable for specific measures against the Houthis in its initial statement, while the US message is read as an attempt at political deterrence ahead of the vote while keeping response options open after November 3. Earlier reports had said Washington was studying options ranging from diplomatic pressure to defensive support for its Gulf partners without a declared commitment to direct engagement in an open confrontation in Yemen before the elections, while the Houthis warned of responses if sites in Sanaa were targeted, raising tensions near the Red Sea and oil facilities.
US allies in the Gulf continue to follow American messaging seeking clarity on deterrence policy, while energy markets remain sensitive to any sign of a widening confrontation or a sudden de-escalation after November 3.
