Saudi Arabia has asked China to press Iran to restrain the Houthis, exposing a growing collision between Tehran’s regional leverage and the interests of its most important oil customer.
Sweden has expelled an Iranian embassy official as the government and Säpo warn that Tehran is using criminal networks as proxies for security-threatening operations.
Saudi Arabia is reportedly running short of missile interceptors and has approached Britain, France, Pakistan and Egypt for air-defence support as Houthi attacks continue.
A Houthi offensive involving an estimated 100,000 fighters has routed Saudi-backed forces and strengthened the Iran-aligned movement around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Saudi Arabia says its air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered prohibited airspace, while the Houthis deny threatening the holy city.
The Congressional Budget Office says the U.S. war against Iran has cost about $38 billion through August 1 and could add up to $3 billion for every additional month.
The Trump administration is preparing a $2.8 billion munitions sale to Israel including 20,000 MK 84 and 20,000 BLU-117 2,000-pound-class bombs.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie has filed privileged articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over U.S. hostilities against Iran without congressional approval.
Saudi Arabia has issued emergency alerts across several cities as Houthi missile and drone attacks intensify, with 13 civilians injured and critical oil infrastructure already disrupted.
Washington has imposed new Iran-related sanctions on Russia’s VTB, accusing the already sanctioned bank of involvement in helping Tehran evade financial restrictions.
