Houthis advance in Yemen as Trump halts strikes on Tehran-backed group

Iran-backed Houthi forces are advancing to seize strategic highlands in Yemen and cut off the Red Sea coast from Saudi-backed areas, following reports that US President Donald Trump called off planned airstrikes on the group at the last minute. The New York Times reported the Trump administration had prepared strikes on Sunday after pleas from Saudi Arabia's crown prince, but Trump halted them as bombs were being loaded onto aircraft. Yemen's Saudi-backed president Rashid al-Alimi had requested US military help by phone. Riyadh was reportedly struck Saturday for the first time in the escalation, with the Houthis claiming missile fire. G7 foreign ministers condemned Houthi attacks and called on Iran to stop arming the group. Oil prices rose to $100 per barrel as markets awaited potential US-Iran talks at the UN General Assembly, while supertanker hiring costs surged amid shipping disruptions.