Red Sea Tensions Escalate as UAE Backs Saudi Arabia
News Desk
Islamabad: The threat of a wider regional conflict intensified on Tuesday as maritime security concerns in the Red Sea, soaring oil prices, and renewed diplomatic efforts unfolded simultaneously across the Middle East.
The United Arab Emirates voiced strong support for Saudi Arabia after Yemen’s Houthi movement threatened to impose a maritime blockade and target vessels transporting Saudi crude oil through the Red Sea.
In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the threats, reaffirmed its full solidarity with Riyadh, and called for the implementation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions to protect freedom of navigation in one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors.
The Houthi warning quickly disrupted commercial shipping. Two Saudi oil tankers carrying crude to Asian markets reportedly turned back from the Bab al-Mandab Strait after shipping companies were warned that vessels loading or transporting Saudi oil could come under attack.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait is a critical global trade route linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, handling a significant share of international energy shipments.
Fears of supply disruptions reverberated through global markets, with Brent crude prices climbing more than two percent to trade above $91 per barrel.
US President Donald Trump acknowledged the growing tensions, saying that while no attack had yet taken place, Washington would respond if the threats were carried out.
The Red Sea crisis comes as hostilities continue to spread across the region. Iran has been accused of launching attacks on US military installations in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, raising fears that the conflict could expand beyond its current frontlines.
According to an Iranian Health Ministry official, recent US strikes have killed at least 50 civilians and injured around 500 others. At the same time, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a Senate hearing that the conflict has already cost Washington $37.5 billion and that he has requested an additional $70 billion to replenish missile stockpiles.
Amid the military escalation, diplomatic channels remain active. Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni has visited Pakistan and urged Islamabad to continue its mediation efforts, reflecting ongoing attempts to prevent further instability in the region.
