World
US-Iran Conflict Escalates as Saudi Arabia Pushes for Houthi Strikes, Treasury Targets New Bank
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called President Donald Trump twice on Thursday urging US strikes against the Iran-backed Houthi movement as it advanced toward a critical Red Sea chokepoint, according to two US officials cited by Axios. Trump declined the request, and administration officials said there are currently no plans for direct US military action against the Houthis.
The broader US-Iran conflict continued to intensify across multiple fronts, with Washington escalating economic pressure on Tehran even as fighting expanded across shipping lanes, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that a major, unnamed bank would be sanctioned early next week as part of the ongoing campaign against Iran. He noted the penalty had initially been scheduled for Friday but was delayed out of respect for September 11 memorial observances. Bessent described the strategy as aiming for financial isolation severe enough to endanger any company or individual still doing business with Iran. Trump separately said he expects the conflict to continue until after the November US midterm elections.
Meanwhile, Houthi forces seized control of Mocha, a key Red Sea port, strengthening their hold near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world's most important shipping routes. Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, expressed support for the Houthis, saying on social media that