US Stops Attacks on Iran, But Houthis and Saudis Keep Fighting

The US military did not announce any new strikes against Iran on Friday and Saturday. This followed 13 nights of continuous attacks on the country. CNN reported that officials from the Department of War said operations are now "on hold."

Axios also reported that President Donald Trump told the military not to carry out new strikes in Iran for now. It is not clear if this pause is just temporary. Trump has also instructed the military to stay ready for a possible return to major combat. Some US media say the pause is due to concerns that the US is running low on interceptor missiles. These missiles are important for stopping Iran’s attacks on US interests in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the situation in the new front of the Iran conflict is getting worse. On Saturday, Yemen’s rebel group, the Houthis, launched missiles and drones at Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu. These are two of Saudi Arabia’s key oil facilities located on the Red Sea.

The Iranian-backed Houthis claimed their attacks were in response to Saudi strikes on Hodeida. This is Yemen’s port city on the Red Sea coast. “The first targeted sensitive Aramco-affiliated facilities in Jizan with dozens of ballistic missiles and drones,” said Yahya Saree, the spokesperson for the group, in a post on X. He added that “the second operation targeted sensitive Aramco-affiliated facilities in Yanbu with several ballistic missiles.”

US Military Concerns

The US decision to pause strikes on Iran comes as worries grow that continuing the war could “dangerously drain” the Pentagon’s limited military supplies in the area. Vice President JD Vance and Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, both highlighted that increasing military action could empty the US stockpile of interceptors and other air defense weapons in the Middle East.

Iran’s military also said the pause is due to the US not meeting its goals in the Strait of Hormuz and in weakening Iran. “The situation is chaotic and undesirable for America,” Abolfazl Shekarchi, the military’s spokesperson, said. According to Al Jazeera, Shekarchi mentioned that this pause might be a “new strategy.” He also said that Washington's withdrawal from the war would depend on permission from the Zionists.

The Iranian parliament has started looking at a draft law on managing the Strait of Hormuz. They are also reviewing this with the judicial, economic, and civil sub-committees. On Friday and Saturday, Iran was in talks with Oman about the Strait of Hormuz.

Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry, said the talks were helpful, “progress was made,” and that “technical and political consultations” between the two sides are still ongoing.