Trump expands Iran blockade as Houthis report Saudi strikes kill dozens in Yemen

President Donald Trump has ordered a blockade on Iranian ground transport, expanding the U.S. naval blockade to include land borders and the Caspian Sea, as Iran-backed Houthi rebels claim Saudi air strikes killed dozens in Yemen on Sunday. The new Task Force Iron Gate, announced Saturday and based in Tampa, will track illegal movement of advanced weapons, dual-use technologies, and revenue streams over Iran's borders, coordinating with multiple U.S. agencies. CENTCOM also reported disabling a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday after it ignored warnings, part of enforcement actions that have redirected 147 ships and disabled five since July. A senior UAE official expressed cautious optimism about U.S.-Iran negotiations through Qatari mediation, noting Iran submitted a new nuclear proposal on Nov. 5, though Tehran insists on seven conditions including sanctions relief and an end to the naval blockade before talks proceed.