WASHINGTON-TEHRAN, July 14. /Dunyo IA/. Tensions in the Middle East are escalating following new strikes between the United States and Iran, growing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and renewed attacks by Yemen’s Houthis on targets in Saudi Arabia, reports Dunyo IA correspondent, citing “Reuters.”

Iran said it had launched ballistic missile strikes on a U.S. military base in Jordan. Jordan’s armed forces reported intercepting four missiles that entered the country’s airspace from Iranian territory. In response, the United States carried out strikes on Iranian targets for five hours, continuing a series of attacks for the third consecutive day.

The latest escalation is linked to the situation around the Strait of Hormuz, through which more than 15 million barrels of energy supplies worth over $1.2 billion passed daily before the war. After Iran announced the closure of the strait, U.S. President Donald Trump declared the restoration of a blockade and the introduction of a 20% fee on cargo shipments through the route. Tehran rejected the statements, stressing that Iran is the only guarantor of the strait’s security and will independently regulate maritime traffic.

Additional tensions were caused by recent incidents involving civilian vessels. According to the UAE Foreign Ministry, two Emirati oil tankers were hit by Iranian cruise missiles while passing through the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had targeted two “violating” supertankers that ignored warnings and turned off navigation systems, while also accusing the United States of encouraging vessels to use “illegal routes.”

Meanwhile, the situation in Yemen has also deteriorated. The Iran-backed Houthi movement said it carried out missile and drone strikes on Abha International Airport in southern Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities reported intercepting missiles launched toward the southern regions of the kingdom. The attacks marked the first claimed Houthi strikes against Saudi Arabia since an informal ceasefire took effect in March 2022.

Shortly before that, Yemen’s government, backed by Saudi Arabia, carried out a strike on the runway of Sanaa International Airport, which is controlled by the Houthis. According to Yemen’s Defense Ministry, the operation was aimed at preventing the landing of an Iranian aircraft. The Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of the attack and warned airlines about the risks of flying through the kingdom’s airspace.

The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on the regional situation. UN representatives expressed concern over the possible expansion of the conflict and called on the parties to return to negotiations under UN auspices. At the same time, regional experts note that Washington and Tehran are currently seeking to keep the confrontation within controlled limits, using military pressure to strengthen their positions in future negotiations.