Iranian Flight Blockade Triggers New Houthi-Saudi Clash Threatening Yemen Truce

Tensions flared after a Saudi airstrike on Sana'a’s runway thwarted an Iranian-owned Mahan Air flight that was transporting a high-level Houthi delegation, violating coalition air-space rules. The Houthis responded with missile and drone attacks on Saudi Abha airport and declared a blockade of Red Sea shipping, also targeting Saudi oil facilities. In retaliation, the Saudi-led coalition bombed Hodeida and the island of Kamaran and bolstered Yemeni forces for a potential ground offensive.

Omani diplomatic channels secured a limited landing of the Iranian plane in Hodeida, but no broader settlement emerged. UN envoy Hans Grundberg cautioned that the renewed fighting threatens to collapse the 2022 truce and could expand the conflict across the region. Analysts note the Houthis are leveraging the dispute to press for the lifting of the Saudi blockade and to assert sovereignty over Yemeni airspace and ports, amid growing internal pressure over deteriorating living conditions.