Sanaa, Aug 9: Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Sunday claimed responsibility for a drone attack targeting an Aramco oil facility in Jazan, southwestern Saudi Arabia, in the latest escalation involving the Iran-backed group.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the attack targeted an Aramco refinery in Jazan in retaliation for what he alleged were Saudi drone incursions into Yemen’s airspace over the provinces of Hajjah and Saada.
Earlier on Sunday, Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry reported a fire at a facility belonging to the Aramco refinery. The ministry said the fire was brought under control and there were no casualties, but did not immediately disclose its cause.
A Yemeni government official also said the Houthis launched missiles and drones at the strategic Mocha port on the Red Sea. Fayed al-Noman, assistant undersecretary at Yemen’s information ministry, said the port was targeted, though the Houthis did not immediately comment on the claim.
The latest attacks have raised concerns over a possible escalation in Yemen’s conflict, more than four years after a 2022 truce brought a halt to major fighting.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran and Washington were continuing to exchange messages through intermediaries but that formal negotiations could not resume until certain conditions were met.
Araghchi said Iran wanted the US to address what Tehran described as violations of an earlier understanding before talks could restart.
He also said discussions with Oman over possible new maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz were in their final stages, while stressing that reaching an agreement on routes would not automatically mean the waterway would reopen.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council separately said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until the US changed its policies towards Tehran.
The council called for an end to US military threats and the lifting of sanctions and naval restrictions on Iran, among other demands.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global shipping route through which a significant share of the world’s oil and natural gas supplies passes.
Pentagon Seeks Faster Weapons Production
The US Pentagon is meanwhile pushing the defence industry to accelerate weapons and munitions production amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the department was focused on increasing munitions procurement and ensuring that US forces received weapons at a faster pace.
A recent analysis by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies said the conflict had placed additional pressure on US stocks of advanced missile interceptors.
Iran-Oman Talks On Strait Continue
Iran and Oman are also working on a possible temporary arrangement to facilitate shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, according to people familiar with the discussions.
Under the proposed arrangement, ships could enter the strait through a route closer to Iran and exit through waters closer to Oman without paying fees or tolls during the interim period.
The proposed deal is aimed at restoring an earlier understanding between Iran and the US and creating a framework for renewed discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme.
The terms are still under negotiation and could change before any agreement is finalised.
