(The Center Square) – The Iranian proxy, Houthis, based in Yemen, threatens to derail progress in the Middle East as the group continues to threaten passage between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, as President Donald Trump maintains the U.S. holds the cards with Iran.
With oil prices continuing to rise, Trump says “oil is flowing through the Hormuz Strait,” just as the Houthis threaten the security of Bab el-Maneb, the passage between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Over the weekend, Saudi Arabia was forced to close a vital east-west pipeline after drone attacks damaged the pipeline.
Despite the president maintaining the U.S. has complete control over the strait, the worsening situation in Saudi Arabia and Yemen appears to be surging gas prices in the U.S.
The national average Monday afternoon has soared more than 15 cents over the weeks, rising from $4.15 to $4.31, and nearly a quarter over the last month, from an average of $4.07, according to AAA.
While the U.S. hasn’t committed to any military force against the Houthis, multiple reports indicate the U.S. did offer intelligence on the militant group.
With action relatively quiet on the Iranian front recently, the president has argued in the last week that he expects the conflict to wrap up around the time of the midterm elections, adding that Iran may wait until after the elections to strike a deal.
On Monday, Trump claimed that Iran is eager to make a deal, but that the U.S. maintains control.
“The failing nation of Iran wants to make a deal, quickly and badly. I will determine whether or not the U.S.A. will choose to engage – the concept of which we are open to,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
In a separate post, the president says the rest of the world should reimburse the U.S. for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, arguing that it is being done to the benefit of other countries.
The Pentagon says it has spent nearly $40 billion on military operations in Iran, though many independent analyses estimate the true amount is at least double, since the conflict began Feb. 28.
Originally published on thecentersquare.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
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