US Pauses Strikes on Iran Amid Escalating Tensions and Houthi Aggression

The US has paused its nearly two-week run of nightly strikes on Iran, but tensions in the region continue to escalate. The Houthis, Islamist militants backed by Iran, have fired missiles and drones at Saudi facilities linked to oil giant Aramco in the Red Sea port towns of Jizan and Yanbu.

Saudi authorities briefly issued emergency warnings but retracted them after the danger had passed. The Houthis also announced they would blockade Saudi ports and attacked two Saudi-linked oil tankers in the Red Sea.

President Trump, who is increasingly frustrated with Iran for refusing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, said late Friday that the US is 'locked and loaded' for major strikes on Iran, but has not made a decision yet.