Gulf source: Iran preventing Houthis from reaching ceasefire with Saudi Arabia

A diplomatic source in the Gulf told Israel Hayom that Iran is pressuring the Houthis to avoid a ceasefire with Saudi Arabia, aiming to prolong the blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb strait and raise oil prices, thereby harming Trump's chances in the midterm elections. The Saudis fear a ground invasion from the south.

A diplomatic source in the Gulf told Israel Hayom on Saturday that Iran is pressuring the Houthis to avoid reaching a ceasefire agreement with Saudi Arabia and even refuses talks on opening the Bab el-Mandeb strait. Saudi appeals via China and Oman have gone unanswered due to Iranian pressure. The Iranian position holds that the blockade of the strait should be extended to raise oil prices and harm President Trump's chances of maintaining the Republican majority in Congress in the midterm elections a month and a half away. The Iranians are encouraging the Houthis to continue attacks on Saudi Arabia itself, such as the attack on Riyadh airport. The attack on the capital carries symbolic significance as a challenge to the kingdom. The Saudis fear a ground invasion, and the Houthis present the fighting as part of a historic 'liberation' of territories conquered in 1934. Pakistan and Turkey are limited to declarations of support without real assistance. Mohammed bin Salman's appeals to the US and Egypt have yielded nothing. Israel received a request for intelligence assistance from the Saudis via CENTCOM and responded partially, but will not intervene physically without an American regional move.