Trump pledges to ‘take care of’ Houthis if group blocks Saudi ships and says US airlines can resume direct flights to Lebanon – live

Trump Pledges to Take Care of Houthis as Middle East Crisis Deepens Houthi Maritime Blockade Threatens Saudi Shipping Wanderstayfinder.com – Trump

Trump Pledges to Take Care of Houthis as Middle East Crisis Deepens

Houthi Maritime Blockade Threatens Saudi Shipping

Wanderstayfinder.com – Yemen’s Iranian-backed militant group has escalated its campaign against international maritime traffic by threatening to target vessels serving Saudi Arabian ports. The Houthi movement issued a stark warning to global shipping companies, declaring that tankers calling at Saudi facilities face imminent danger of attack. This aggressive posture follows the group’s announcement of a new blockade just one day earlier, demonstrating their resolve to control regional waterways. The threat extends across the Red Sea, complementing existing Iranian warnings about shipping security in the Gulf of Oman on the Arabian Peninsula’s eastern flank.

The potential impact on Saudi oil exports has alarmed energy markets, despite months of relative stability in the region’s petroleum trade. Two oil tankers carrying Saudi crude destined for China and India executed emergency course corrections on Tuesday, abandoning the Houthi-controlled Bab el-Mandeb strait. Rather than navigating through the dangerous Red Sea passage, these vessels redirected toward the Suez Canal route. Houthi commanders reported that six ships total changed their trajectories in response to the heightened threat level, underscoring the immediate consequences of their naval enforcement strategy on worldwide commerce patterns.

Direct Flights to Lebanon Set for Restoration

President Donald Trump announced a major diplomatic initiative to reestablish direct air connections between America and Lebanon. Taking to his Truth Social platform, the President ordered his administration to authorize all U.S. airline operators to resume nonstop service to the Mediterranean country. This policy shift will enable American citizens to travel more conveniently to what Trump characterized as a stunning destination. The announcement came following a White House meeting earlier Tuesday between Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, where bilateral relations took center stage.

This historic aviation development reverses a policy that has been in place for nearly four decades. Direct flights between the United States and Lebanon had been suspended since 1985, when President Ronald Reagan imposed the ban after the notorious TWA Flight 847 hijacking incident. During his conversation with President Aoun, Trump stressed his commitment to providing meaningful support to Lebanon. He described the nation as one that has suffered inadequate treatment throughout its history and vowed that America would guarantee Lebanon receives the respect and proper consideration it merits going forward.

War Costs Mount as Pentagon Assesses Iranian Threat

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a detailed briefing on both the financial burden and military dimensions of the ongoing conflict with Iran. He disclosed that American forces have already expended $37.5 billion on operations, representing an increase of approximately $8 billion from the previous public assessment. Hegseth explained to congressional lawmakers that the escalating costs reflect intensified military activity across multiple theaters of operation.

The Secretary also addressed Iranian military capabilities, noting that Tehran continues to pose significant challenges through its proxy networks and direct naval forces. He emphasized that the United States maintains superior technological advantages while monitoring Iranian movements closely. Hegseth confirmed that American warships remain positioned strategically in the Strait of Hormuz to protect vital shipping lanes from potential disruption.

Regional Tensions Continue to Escalate

As Trump pledges to take care of emerging threats, the broader Middle East situation remains volatile. The Houthi blockade has created ripple effects throughout global supply chains, with shipping insurance premiums rising and delivery schedules experiencing delays. Industry analysts predict that if the blockade persists, oil prices could face upward pressure in coming weeks.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue on multiple fronts as the United States works to stabilize the region. The restoration of Lebanon flights represents one component of a larger strategy to rebuild relationships with key allies. Trump’s administration has signaled that it will not tolerate threats to American interests or those of its partners in the region.