US Halts Airstrikes Against Iran Amid Escalating Tensions
The conflict between the US and Iran has taken a potentially significant turn as the US held back from launching air strikes on Iran itself for the first time in two weeks.
This decision comes after Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi militants fired on Saudi oil installations in two ports on the Red Sea coast, but the US chose not to retaliate directly against Iran. The reason behind this sudden halt in airstrikes is unclear, with no immediate explanation provided by the US.
The absence of US strikes against Iran was noticed and commented on by Iranian officials, who noted that 'it seems our dear Iran had a peaceful night last night.'
However, the Houthi forces, backed by Iran, did launch strikes on Saudi oil facilities in Jizan and Yanbu. While two ballistic missiles aimed at oil installations in Yanbu were intercepted by a US-made Patriot battery operated by Greek military personnel, there was significant damage reported in Jizan.