Trump Issues Stern Warning to Iran and the Houthis

The escalation continues and intensifies on the Iranian front, particularly as the U.S. military has been bombing Revolutionary Guard positions and infrastructure across several regions of Iran for twelve consecutive days. The entry of Yemen's Houthis into the conflict is also being confirmed. Early Thursday, the pro-Iranian Houthi militia announced it had struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, as part of what it claims is a maritime blockade it is imposing on Saudi Arabia.

The activation of the Yemeni front did not go unanswered on the American side. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to the Iranian regime and the Houthis. Condemning the attack on the two Saudi tankers, the U.S. president made it clear that if such aggression is repeated, he will hold the Islamic Republic responsible, "since it is the one pulling the Houthis' strings." Trump stressed that if such an attack happens again, he will inflict "severe punishment on Iran, as well as on the Houthis."

For his part, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that the Houthis made the wrong choice by letting themselves be drawn into the ongoing conflict. With a hint of irony, he said they had been "played" when they decided to enter the war on Iran's side. The top U.S. diplomat added that the Iranian regime will continue to pay a heavy price — "which will be higher every night" — until it "comes to its senses."

It is worth noting in this context that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, when asked in an interview about Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, stated that he had not met with him recently, indicating that very few people have access to him.

Other troubling signs of escalation: the United Kingdom and France have closed their embassies in Tehran. Iranians have accused the British of allowing American B-1 bombers to take off from their bases to strike Iran.

Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers approved, by a narrow majority, a $95 billion plan to fund the war against Iran, though the bill still needs to go before the Senate for a vote. This vote comes as the price of oil has once again crossed the $100-per-barrel mark.

Finally, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited Tehran on Thursday, where he was received by Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian. According to the Iranian news agency IRNA, "several bilateral agreements were signed." The young Iraqi politician, who had been received with great fanfare just days ago in Washington by Donald Trump and signed several agreements with the United States, appears to be seeking to maintain good relations with his neighbor, which remains powerful despite being weakened.

The nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia

The most significant development of Thursday was undoubtedly an announcement by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright regarding a future agreement on civilian nuclear development in Saudi Arabia. According to AFP, the minister raised the possibility of exporting American technologies and creating jobs toward the construction of nuclear power plants to replace oil and gas facilities.

It should be noted in this context that President Trump emphasized Thursday that the nuclear deal taking shape with Saudi Arabia "is tied to the recognition of Israel and the ratification of the Abraham Accords" — which several Gulf states, notably the United Arab Emirates, have already signed with Israel. Until now, Riyadh had refused to consider recognizing the Jewish state without the creation of a Palestinian state.

While the Saudi response has been slow to come, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to react following Trump's announcement. Netanyahu's office described a potential Saudi signing of the Abraham Accords as a "historic milestone."

On the ground, tensions between Israelis and Palestinians are escalating. Far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir made a highly controversial visit to the Temple Mount, greeting Jewish worshippers there. The visit drew widespread condemnation, particularly from Jordan, which has custodianship over this major Islamic holy site. Under the existing arrangement, Jews are permitted to visit the compound but not to pray there.

Meanwhile, clashes between settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank continue: on Thursday, two Palestinians were stabbed to death during an altercation with a settler, who was also injured.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah seethes

In Lebanon, commentary is mounting over the outcome of President Joseph Aoun's visit to Washington and his meeting with President Trump on Tuesday.

While much of the political class hailed the Washington visit as a success, Hezbollah launched a full-scale effort to discredit both the president and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

In a statement, the Hezbollah parliamentary bloc claimed that the presidential visit "failed to secure the fulfillment of even a single national sovereignty demand and yielded no American commitment regarding an Israeli withdrawal." The pro-Iranian group's statement argues that Lebanon's leaders are steering the country "toward a new form of foreign tutelage."

It is worth noting that Parliament Speaker and Amal leader Nabih Berry — Hezbollah's main ally — called on the president upon his return to Baabda, even as relations between the two men had been rather cool in recent weeks.