Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and Red Sea shipping give Iran leverage in the Middle East

The Iran-backed Houthis have escalated drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia and Red Sea shipping, intensifying the regional conflict between the U.S. and Iran and giving Tehran strategic leverage in the Middle East. President Donald Trump said Sunday the U.S. was in constant communication with the Houthis, who agreed not to fight America, though he reportedly called off planned military strikes against Yemen at the last minute after Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman urged intervention. The Houthis, backed by Iran and aligned with Hezbollah and Hamas, have declared a blockade on Saudi shipping and targeted Riyadh, while a fragile U.S.-Houthi ceasefire from May 2025 holds amid soaring fuel prices.