Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a missile attack on Israel, marking their first such strike since the war began. A military spokesman for the Houthis, Yahya Saree, announced the claim in a statement broadcast by the Al-Masirah satellite TV channel. The attack, allegedly part of a missile barrage, was launched in response to ongoing Israeli and US strikes on infrastructure in Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestinian territories, with operations purportedly continuing until the "aggression" ends. The Israeli military reported intercepting the missile.
Meanwhile, an Iranian attack on a base in Saudi Arabia resulted in injuries to 12 US troops, two of them seriously. The strike also damaged KC-135 aerial refueling planes. Sources indicate the Iranian attack involved missiles and drones. Since the war started, over 300 US service members have been wounded, with 273 having returned to duty as of Friday.
Regional tensions are escalating: in Oman, a foreign worker was injured in an Iranian drone strike on the port of Salalah, while in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were hurt by "falling debris" after air defense systems "successfully intercepted a ballistic missile." Oman, often called the "Switzerland of the Middle East," has attempted to leverage its traditional neutrality to mediate between Iran, Israel, and the US, but this diplomatic stance is under strain due to Iranian attacks.
US President Donald Trump criticized NATO allies, particularly German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, for declining to provide military support to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Trump stated, "We spend hundreds of billions of dollars a year on NATO, protecting them, but now, based on their actions, I guess we don't have to be there," casting doubt on US commitments. However, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul claimed there was "no disagreement" between the US and Germany and that Washington is not requesting military support until hostilities end.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff suggested Iran might hold talks with Washington "this week" to end the monthlong war, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio optimistically claimed US military objectives in Iran would be completed "in the next couple weeks." Despite this, fighting persists: Israel launched strikes on Iranian "government targets," and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi vowed a "heavy price for Israeli crimes" following attacks on steel factories and nuclear sites.
Source: www.dw.com