Houthi attacks on Yemen government areas escalate; Iran reiterates Strait of Hormuz stance

Published Aug 11, 01:39 PM UTC

Renewed Houthi rebel attacks on government-held areas in Yemen, including the port city of Mokha and Marib province, threaten to reignite civil war and disrupt Red Sea shipping. Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister reiterated Tehran's refusal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz until US conditions are met, following US President Trump's demand for compensation from Iran. The Houthi escalation, targeting Saudi oil facilities and Red Sea shipping, adds a new front to Middle East tensions. Separately, a Syrian court sentenced former President Bashar Assad and his brother to death in absentia for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Syria's 14-year conflict.