A Saudi diplomat has warned that Iran is encouraging the Houthi rebels to intensify attacks on the kingdom, signalling a new front in the ongoing Iran‑Saudi conflict.
The escalation between Saudi forces and the Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen has exposed the kingdom's challenges in intercepting missile and drone strikes. Saudi air defences have struggled to keep pace with the increased frequency and sophistication of the attacks.
Iran is alleged to be backing the Houthis, a claim that Saudi officials say is fuelling the conflict. The diplomatic spat has added a new dimension to the broader rivalry between Tehran and Riyadh.
The surge in attacks has rattled global markets, with investors reacting to heightened instability in the Gulf region and concerns over potential disruptions to oil supply chains.
Saudi officials have called for international support to counter the threat, while the United Nations has urged restraint and diplomatic solutions to the escalating violence.
<small>Source: PBS NewsHour — read the original story there.</small>
