Yemen's Missile Launch Towards Israel: A New Front in Ongoing Conflict?
Missile Attack from Yemen
Dubai: The Israeli military reported that Yemen launched a missile towards Israel early Saturday, marking the first instance of such an attack from that nation.
Sirens were activated in Beer Sheba and around Israel's primary nuclear research facility for the third time overnight as Iran and Hezbollah continued their assaults on Israel.
The Houthis, a Tehran-backed rebel faction, have controlled Yemen's capital, Sanaa, since 2014 but did not confirm the missile launch against Israel.
Despite their involvement in the ongoing conflict, the Houthis have largely refrained from direct engagement, maintaining a fragile ceasefire with Saudi Arabia, which has been waging war against them since 2015 on behalf of Yemen's exiled government.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has disrupted shipping in the Red Sea, a crucial route for approximately USD 1 trillion worth of goods annually. The Houthis have also targeted Israel with drone strikes.
In response to escalating tensions, Israel conducted strikes on Iranian nuclear sites shortly after threatening to broaden its military operations against Tehran. Iran retaliated by attacking a base in Saudi Arabia, injuring US personnel and damaging aircraft.
On Friday, Brig Gen Yahya Saree, a spokesperson for the Houthis, released a statement outlining potential ways the group could engage in the conflict on Iran's behalf.
Saree emphasized that they are prepared for direct military involvement if hostilities against Iran and its allies continue.
In 2024, the Trump administration initiated strikes against the Houthis, which concluded weeks later. This US-led effort, overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas conflict, became the most intense naval engagement the Navy has faced since World War II.
The potential involvement of the Houthis raises concerns about renewed attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. From November 2023 to January 2025, the Houthis targeted over 100 merchant vessels, sinking two and resulting in four fatalities.
Such actions could exacerbate the already chaotic global shipping landscape, which is struggling under Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for a significant portion of the world's oil and natural gas.
Before the missile attack from Yemen, there seemed to be a breakthrough as Tehran agreed to facilitate humanitarian aid and agricultural shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, responding to a UN request. Ali Bahreini, Iran's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, confirmed this commitment.
The Strait typically handles a fifth of global oil shipments and nearly a third of fertilizer trade. While the focus has been on oil and gas supply disruptions, restrictions on fertilizer trade pose a significant threat to global food security.
Bahreini stated that this measure reflects Iran's dedication to humanitarian efforts, ensuring essential aid reaches those in need promptly. The UN has also announced a task force to address the war's impact on aid delivery.
The Iranian strike on Prince Sultan Air Base injured at least ten American troops, with two sustaining serious injuries. Several refueling aircraft were also damaged.
Israel Targets Iranian Nuclear Facilities
Bahreini's announcement followed reports from Iranian state media about attacks on two nuclear facilities. Israel claimed responsibility for these strikes, which prompted Iran to threaten retaliation.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Iran would impose severe consequences for Israeli actions.
Iran's Atomic Energy Organization reported that the Shahid Khondab Heavy Water Complex in Arak and the Ardakan yellowcake production facility in Yazd Province were targeted. Fortunately, there were no casualties, and contamination risks were ruled out. The Arak facility has been inactive since Israel's previous attack in June.
Yellowcake is a concentrated uranium form, while heavy water serves as a moderator in nuclear reactors.
The Israeli military later stated that the Yazd facility processes materials for enrichment, marking a significant setback for Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Seyed Majid Moosavi, commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Force, warned employees of companies linked to the US and Israel to vacate their workplaces, indicating that the response would be more severe than before.
Late Friday, Israeli officials reported that Iran had launched missiles that resulted in a fatality in Tel Aviv. Sirens alerted residents in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Beer Sheba, and areas near the nuclear research center, which had been targeted by Iranian strikes that injured many the previous weekend.
Trump Advocates for Israeli-Saudi Relations
During an event in Miami sponsored by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, Trump reiterated his desire for Israel and Saudi Arabia to normalize relations.
He has been advocating for this for years as part of his Abraham Accords initiative, stating that the time would be right once hostilities with Iran cease.
He emphasized, "It’s now time. We’ve now taken them out, and they are out bigly. We’ve got to get into the Abraham Accords."
However, significant obstacles remain, including Saudi Arabia's demand for a credible path to a Palestinian state before establishing diplomatic ties with Israel.
US Seeks Diplomatic Resolution
The news of the attacks on Iran followed Trump's claims that discussions to end the war were progressing well and that he had given Tehran additional time to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, however, insists it has not engaged in any negotiations.
With stock markets in turmoil and the economic repercussions of the war extending beyond the Middle East, Trump faces increasing pressure to address Iran's control over the strait.
A Gulf Arab coalition reported that Iran has been charging ships for safe passage.
Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, revealed that Washington presented a 15-point action plan to Iran for a potential ceasefire, using Pakistan as a mediator. This plan includes restrictions on Iran's nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait.
Iran rejected this proposal and offered its own five-point plan, which included reparations and recognition of its sovereignty over the waterway.
Trump has warned that if Iran does not reopen the Strait to all traffic by April 6, he will order the destruction of Iran's energy facilities.
The uncertainty surrounding the conflict led to a further decline in US stock markets on Friday. The S&P 500 fell by 1.7%, marking its worst week since the onset of the Iran war and its fifth consecutive week of losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also dropped by 1.7%, while the Nasdaq composite fell by 2.1%. Meanwhile, crude oil prices continued to rise.
With US gas prices nearing USD 4 per gallon, Congress members are advocating for a suspension of the federal gasoline tax, currently set at 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and 24.4 cents for diesel. Trump mentioned he is considering this suspension but suggested that states should also consider halting their fuel taxes.
Escalating Attacks Early Saturday
Witnesses in eastern Tehran reported partial power outages following airstrikes. In Israel, loud explosions were heard in Tel Aviv, prompting emergency services to respond to multiple impact sites.
An Associated Press journalist reported hearing loud explosions in Tel Aviv, with Israel's Fire and Rescue Service responding to eleven different impact locations across the metropolitan area.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz previously vowed that Iran would face severe consequences for its actions.
Israel's military focused its strikes on locations in Tehran associated with ballistic missile and weapon production, as well as missile launchers and storage facilities in Western Iran.
Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry announced that it intercepted missiles and drones aimed at Riyadh. In Lebanon, the Health Ministry reported two fatalities.
Kuwait reported material damage to its Shuwaikh Port in Kuwait City and the Mubarak Al Kabeer Port, which is under construction as part of China's Belt and Road initiative. This marks one of the first instances of a Chinese-affiliated project in the Gulf being targeted during the conflict. Meanwhile, China continues to purchase Iranian crude.