Iran continues to threaten: "Riyadh is not safe, Hormuz will open only with our consent"
Tehran states that the opening of the Strait of Hormuz depends on the US accepting all of Iran's conditions. Amid rising regional tensions, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have formed a defense alliance.
The offensive rhetoric from Tehran continues: the spokesperson for the Revolutionary Guards published a statement on Saturday asserting that "the opening of the Strait of Hormuz depends on the US accepting all of Iran's conditions, and the issue is not related to contacts with Oman."
These remarks follow threats from Iranian sources that the defense alliance signed between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan would fail to protect Riyadh. Simultaneously, tensions between Riyadh and the Houthis are escalating, as the Yemeni army announced a large-scale operation against the terrorist organization, primarily in the capital, Sana'a.
"The rulers of Saudi Arabia must know that just as America's bases could not provide them security, clinging to America's servants will not bring them safety either," wrote Mahmoud Nabavian, a member of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, on X.
UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, warned that the country "is facing the greatest risk of a resumption of conflict since the ceasefire reached in April 2022. This is due to recent Houthi attacks targeting Saudi and Yemeni government forces, as well as renewed attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden."
A Houthi spokesperson confirmed that the organization carried out an attack against Saudi military targets in eastern Yemen, striking forces, warehouses, and military equipment at the San al-Jin camp, located north of Marib.
Against the backdrop of Middle Eastern tensions, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan announced a joint defense alliance. The parties met in Mecca to sign an agreement intended to strengthen regional security, stipulating that an armed attack on one of the three nations will be considered an attack on all. The meeting was attended by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
A Saudi source told CNN that Riyadh is preparing for potential coordinated attacks by the Houthis and Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. Intelligence reports suggest these attacks may occur in the near future under the direction of the Revolutionary Guards, targeting civilian and energy infrastructure, ports, and airports.
Arab media reported this week that Iran plans to officially announce control over the Strait of Hormuz. Sources involved in negotiations estimated to Channel 13 News that "either there will be a temporary agreement on Hormuz, or war and escalation — more than anything seen so far." A senior US official told CBS that "any temporary agreement in the Strait of Hormuz will not include transit fees."
