President Trump has approved a new U.S. military campaign against Iran that could begin this weekend and run for several days, following an Iranian attack on U.S. troops in Jordan and an American retaliatory strike. Yemen's Houthis, meanwhile, denied plans to charge ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb strait, following a Reuters report that the group was considering the fees.
President Donald Trump has ordered the U.S. military to launch a new attack against Iran that could begin this weekend and continue for several days, the Wall Street Journal reported. Trump approved the plan during a cabinet meeting at Camp David on Friday, following an Iranian attack on U.S. troops in Jordan and an American retaliatory strike on Wednesday.
Trump says pressure will force Tehran back to the table
According to the Wall Street Journal: "We will be hitting them very hard", Trump said, arguing that military pressure would force Tehran to resume negotiations and abandon its nuclear programme. Iran says its nuclear programme is intended for civilian purposes and denies seeking an atomic weapon, and American officials have said Tehran is not currently enriching uranium.
One option presented to Trump involves a two-week air campaign targeting Iran's missile capabilities, though military advisers have raised concerns about declining U.S. munitions stockpiles. The operation could still be suspended if Washington and Tehran make immediate diplomatic progress, and U.S. officials cautioned that Trump could change his decision before the strikes begin.
A conflict entering its sixth month
The conflict is entering its sixth month. Washington wants Iran to surrender its nuclear programme and relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz, but Tehran has rejected both demands.
Houthis deny Red Sea fee plan
Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis denied on Saturday that they planned to charge commercial ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb strait. The Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center said no decision to impose fees had been taken and that passage through the strategic waterway remained free.
A Reuters report said the Houthis were considering charging ships travelling through the southern Red Sea, a week after the group declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia. Regional sources said the proposal had been discussed with Iranian officials during a visit to Tehran by Houthi representatives in July, though no timetable was agreed.
Shipping companies were urged not to pay or share information with unauthorised parties claiming to represent the Houthis, as the coordination centre described its safe-transit service as voluntary and free.
Source: Economy News
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