US President Donald Trump has expressed hope that the seven-month-long conflict with Iran is coming to an end. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, September 17, he stated that Iran is willing to make a deal and a direct message has been received from them. However, amidst this optimism, the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi rebels has reached a critical stage.
Saudi Arabia and Houthi Fighting: Saudi warplanes are launching intense airstrikes in Yemen, while Houthi rebels are striking Saudi cities and oil facilities with drone and missile attacks. Against the Saudi-backed government, the Houthis have strengthened their positions in the Red Sea coastal region.
Impact on the Oil Market: Due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, global supplies of crude oil have been severely disrupted. Although Brent crude has fallen to $104 per barrel, this conflict has caused global energy prices and inflation to become a major political challenge for Trump's Republican Party ahead of November's midterm elections.
Meeting with Gulf Leaders: According to an Axios report, US President Donald Trump will meet with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman—on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly next Tuesday to discuss the next steps regarding the conflict.
The United States has already imposed travel restrictions for government employees stationed in Saudi Arabia within 30 kilometers of the Yemeni border for safety reasons. Despite hopeful messages of ending the war, international circles still harbor doubts about how quickly this Middle Eastern conflict will subside.
