Iran Threatens Indian Ocean Expansion Amid Escalating Middle East Conflict

The conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia continues to escalate as Tehran warns of a potential expansion of the war to the Indian Ocean. On Thursday, six ballistic missiles targeted the port city of Yanbu on the Red Sea, which is an alternative route for Saudi oil exports. The missiles were intercepted by Saudi defenses, but it's unclear if there was any damage or casualties.

The attack on Yanbu follows a recent improvement in prospects for oil exports to resume from the terminal there. Operations had restarted on the East-West pipeline after being shut down due to drone attacks blamed on Iraqi militias. The port is critical for Saudi crude shipments when the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted.

Meanwhile, adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Yahya Rahim Safavi, warned that if US strikes resume, Tehran may expand the conflict to the Indian Ocean and beyond. This marks a significant escalation in rhetoric as the war spreads from the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea.