Trump threatens massive attack on Iran; US-Saudi nuclear deal collapses

President Trump has threatened a massive attack on Iran after Houthi forces struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, sending the price of oil above $100 a barrel for the first time since May. The Houthis, armed and advised by Iran's Revolutionary Guard, claimed responsibility for the missile strikes on the Saudi vessels Enselia and Layla, forcing other ships to reverse course and creating a second maritime choke point on global oil supplies. In response, Mr. Trump wrote on social media that the US would hold Iran responsible for any further Houthi attacks and that major military punishment would be inflicted on Iran and the Houthis themselves. He also repeated a threat that for every Iranian missile fired at a ship in the Gulf, America would bomb a bridge or power plant in Iran, including those near Tehran. Critics have described such deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure as a potential war crime, though neither the US nor Iran are signatories to the International Criminal Court.

The escalating conflict has now cost 18 American lives. Four more fallen soldiers were brought home to Dover Air Base in Delaware, where the president attended a dignified transfer and offered condolences to grieving families. He insisted that Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, saying, 'We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon.' Yet at the same time, his administration signed a controversial 30-year civilian nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, allowing the kingdom to enrich uranium on its own soil without requiring it to recognise the state of Israel. The deal, which would bring billions of dollars to US firms such as Westinghouse, was immediately condemned by analysts who warned it could encourage Iran to rush towards a nuclear weapon. Within hours, Mr. Trump appeared to backtrack, posting that the deal was 'totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords' and recognising Israel. The US energy secretary, Chris Wright, confirmed that talks would continue with Saudi counterparts to finalise the deal under that condition.

On Capitol Hill, senators from both parties expressed confusion and concern over the administration's strategy. Some said they had questions about safeguards and oversight for the Saudi nuclear program, while others worried that the president might be considering escalation, including putting US troops on the ground to capture Iran's Kharg Island. The Iranian regime, meanwhile, celebrated by releasing footage of its missiles being launched amid music and cheering. The new British foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, urged restraint and said the UK would work to de-escalate the conflict diplomatically. But with no obvious off-ramp and attacks continuing on both sides, the crisis shows no sign of abating.