US warns of rapid escalation in Middle East war

The United States has issued a warning regarding the potential for a rapid escalation of the Middle East conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthis. President Donald Trump cut short a weekend at his retreat to return to the White House after a missile attack targeted Riyadh for the first time since the Yemen conflict resumed.

The White House provided no explanation for the early return. Loud explosions were heard in the Saudi capital, where a fuel tank belonging to oil giant Aramco was seen on fire near the airport. The US State Department warned that American citizens outside the Middle East should consider traveling to and through the region with caution.

The State Department also restricted travel for American government employees to two Saudi cities, Taif and Yanbu, which are home to a major Red Sea oil export terminal that has been targeted by Houthi strikes. In recent weeks, the Houthis' lightning offensive has left hundreds dead and displaced over 110,000 people. The violence has already disrupted Saudi exports and maritime traffic.

Saudi Arabia, along with its ally the United States, has taken a cautious approach, with US news platform Axios reporting that Washington refused a Saudi request to strike the Houthis and Fox News reporting that Trump said the Houthis had agreed not to hit US targets. US Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, days after both Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Sisi urged safe and secure navigation through the Bab al-Mandab strait.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed possible assistance between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Saudi Arabia has scrambled to contain the fallout of the attacks on its territory, with the attack on Riyadh not mentioned in major Saudi papers despite confirmation of its successful interception. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed two successful military operations using ballistic and cruise missiles and drones.

Iran has conveyed its conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz to the US through mediators, and its top negotiator discussed these with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New York.