Asia

Asia

Reuters: War spreads to the Red Sea and the Caspian Sea, US halts strikes, new fronts open

26 July 2026 18:04 (UTC +04:00)

The ongoing conflict around Iran has entered a new phase, Reuters reports.

Despite the US halting its nearly two-week-long airstrikes for the first time, the conflict has expanded beyond the Middle East to both the Red Sea and the Caspian Sea.

The Iranian-backed Houthis reportedly attacked oil facilities on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast, including Aramco infrastructure in the Jizan region, with missiles and drones. Security forces also tried to neutralize the missiles near the port of Yanbu. Saudi Arabia responded by launching airstrikes on Houthi positions.

At the same time, Iran accused Ukraine of attacking an Iranian-flagged merchant ship in the Caspian Sea. Tehran announced that one sailor was killed in the incident, describing it as a new escalation of tensions in the region.

The United States has suspended airstrikes that have been ongoing for 13 consecutive nights. However, Washington said that the naval blockade it has imposed on Iran remains in force. Reuters writes that the decision is based on concerns about ammunition stocks, the level of military readiness, possible effects on energy markets and the risks of broader regional escalation.