As President Donald Trump’s administration pursues diplomacy to end the conflict with Iran, developments on the ground suggest the fighting is spreading. The entry of Iran-backed Houthi forces from Yemen has added another layer of complexity to the already volatile situation. With concerns growing that the conflict could extend into Saudi Arabia, observers say the United States is facing a shrinking set of options in the region.
Houthi intervention marks new phase in escalating conflict
On February 28, Houthi forces announced that they had launched ballistic missile strikes against Israeli military targets. This move marked the first direct Houthi involvement since the conflict ignited in the wake of US and Israeli operations against Iran. Analysts now argue the scope of the fighting has expanded, pushing the region into a new and more dangerous stage.
With regional tensions threatening to spill over, maritime trade routes have attracted particular attention. Fears have emerged that the vital Bab-el-Mandeb Strait could be closed, given its strategic importance for ships en route to the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.
The situation became more tangible when global logistics giant Maersk temporarily suspended operations at Oman’s Port of Salalah, citing escalating security threats—including increased drone activity and explosions. The move reflects mounting risks to alternative shipping routes and intensifies worries for global supply chains.
Simultaneous threats to shipping corridors in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf have had immediate consequences in energy markets. US benchmark crude oil, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), surged 7.09 percent to reach $101.18 per barrel. Brent crude climbed 4.22 percent to $112.57, with both prices reaching their highest levels in nearly three years.
Wider Iranian attacks prompt US military planning in the Gulf
Whether the conflict will engulf additional Gulf countries has become a central question for the international community. Reports indicate Iran targeted an airbase in Saudi Arabia hosting US troops, injuring more than ten American service members. The attack on Prince Sultan Air Base reportedly damaged several pieces of military equipment, heightening uncertainty about the scope of escalation.
Saudi Arabia led a regional coalition against Houthi forces in Yemen in 2015—a legacy that casts uncertainty over Riyadh’s response to current developments. Whether Gulf states will directly join the conflict remains a pivotal question in assessing the crisis’s trajectory.
While diplomatic efforts continue, US officials say military preparations are rapidly advancing. Some 7,000 ground troops are being deployed to the region, with options for a limited land operation against Iran reportedly under review. Such a mission would likely involve both special forces and conventional units, rather than a broad-scale invasion.
This possibility has fueled concerns about heavy US casualties. Since the fighting began, 13 American soldiers have been killed and over 300 wounded. Such losses are generating mounting domestic pressure in the United States and may have a significant impact on future decision-making.
