Will the Red Sea be blocked too… War situation deteriorates as Yemen’s Houthi rebels declare entry into the conflict

Houthis: “Launched ballistic missiles at Israel”

Iran strikes US base in Saudi Arabia

US begins preparations for a ground campaign

Trump: If the war expands, efforts to end it will be derailed

Fears public sentiment could sour if US casualties rise

The administration of US President Donald Trump is pursuing diplomatic efforts to end the war with Iran, but the situation is worsening, with the conflict instead expanding. With Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi forces entering the fight, the burden on US countermeasures has grown, and there is mounting speculation that the front could extend to Saudi Arabia as well. As the Iran war spirals out of control, President Trump’s political room for maneuver is narrowing.

Although the war has begun, diplomatic strategy has limits in delivering a peaceful end, while a military response risks inflaming US public opinion as American troops are killed and wounded.

On the 28th (local time), the Houthis said in a statement that they had “launched ballistic missiles targeting sensitive military facilities in Israel.” It marked the Houthis’ first direct military intervention since the war began following US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.

Houthis launch first attack on Israel

As Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi forces carried out missile strikes against Israel, the war between the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other has expanded into a new phase.

Attention is focused on whether this attack could become a signal flare for the Iran war to spread across the Middle East. Markets are particularly watching the risk of disruptions to maritime logistics. That is because concerns have been raised that the Houthis could block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the gateway to the Red Sea. The strait is a key shipping lane separating the Arabian Peninsula and Africa and a chokepoint that vessels bound for the Suez Canal must pass.

In fact, global shipping company Maersk temporarily suspended port operations at Salalah in Oman after drone activity and explosions were reported. As maritime threats once confined to the Red Sea spread to areas near Oman, perceptions are growing that even alternative routes are no longer safe.

With major routes in both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf simultaneously under threat, international oil prices surged. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 7.09% to $101.18 a barrel on the 29th, while Brent climbed 4.22% to $112.57. Both were the highest levels in about three years.

Iran expands attacks on Gulf states

Governments around the world are watching closely whether Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries such as Saudi Arabia, which had refrained from military action, will enter the Iran war.

Iran has already struck a Saudi air base hosting US forces, reportedly injuring more than 10 soldiers. According to US media reports including The New York Times (NYT) and The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the day, Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia was attacked the previous day by missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) launched from Iran.

US and Arab officials said at least one missile hit the base and several drones also flew in. Twelve US troops inside buildings on the base were injured, including two seriously. At least two KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft stationed at the base were also reported to have been significantly damaged.

Saudi Arabia led a regional coalition in the Middle East and fought the Houthis after the group seized Yemen’s capital Sanaa in 2015.

“US preparing for a ground war in Iran”

The United States is preparing for a ground campaign even as it conducts negotiations with Iran. The US military is already massing around 7,000 ground troops—including Marines and airborne units—toward Iran. The Washington Post (WP) reported on the day that the US Department of Defense is preparing for a ground operation in Iran that could last several weeks.

US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said that even if such a ground operation against Iran takes place, it would fall far short of a full-scale invasion; instead, a raid-style operation combining special forces and conventional infantry could be carried out.

While it may be possible for US forces to conduct ground operations to seize Kharg Island or parts of the coastline, there are strong concerns that significant US casualties could result in the process. Since the outbreak of hostilities on the 28th of last month, 13 US troops have been killed in action and more than 300 have been wounded.

New York=Correspondent Park Shin-young nyusos@hankyung.com