Iran’s foreign ministry said on Friday that ending the war in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden rests squarely with the United States, as China appealed for calm after the Houthis launched a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks on Saudi targets.

Fresh Houthi strikes hit Saudi sites

Early Friday morning, Houthi rebels in Yemen fired multiple missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at installations in Saudi Arabia, according to Saudi defence officials. The barrage, described as a "new wave" of attacks, targeted a port facility and an oil‑processing plant, causing limited damage but prompting heightened alerts across the region.

Houthi missile launch site in Yemen

Iran places responsibility on Washington

Iranian spokesperson Mohammad Bagheri told reporters that the United States, by supporting Saudi‑led operations against the Houthis, bears responsibility for the escalation. "It is up to the United States to end the war," he said, adding that Iranian support for the Houthis is a response to Saudi aggression.

China urges de‑escalation

In Beijing, a senior foreign ministry official urged all parties to refrain from actions that could further destabilise the region, stressing that the ongoing conflict threatens global energy supplies. China, the world's largest oil importer, warned that any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz would reverberate through international markets.

Broader regional stakes

The United States, which maintains a naval presence in the Red Sea, condemned the Houthi attacks as "unacceptable" and vowed to protect commercial shipping. Meanwhile, the Saudi Arabian government reported that its air defences intercepted several of the incoming projectiles, preventing casualties.

Analysts note that the latest flare‑up comes amid stalled diplomatic talks between Tehran and Washington over Iran's nuclear programme and regional activities. The Houthis, backed by Tehran, have intensified their campaign against Saudi interests since the start of the year, seeking to pressure Riyadh over its role in the Yemen war.

Oil traders reacted swiftly, with Brent crude edging up by roughly 0.5 % as concerns grew about potential bottlenecks in the Hormuz corridor. The price movement reflects the market's sensitivity to any sign of renewed hostilities in the narrow waterway that carries about a fifth of the world’s oil.

Both Iran and China have signalled a willingness to engage in back‑channel discussions with Washington, though no formal talks have been scheduled. The United Nations has called for an urgent meeting of its Security Council to address the rising threat to maritime navigation.

Future developments will hinge on whether diplomatic overtures can calm the Houthi offensive and whether the United States adjusts its stance toward Tehran. The next round of indirect talks is expected to take place in Geneva later this month, with the outcome likely to shape the security of the Gulf and the flow of oil to global markets.