Coverage on Monday stressed Iran’s ability to impose regional and economic costs on Washington, while exposing a growing debate over when—and under what conditions—Tehran should return to negotiations. Iranian media presented a carefully balanced message on Monday as the war with the United States entered another dangerous phase: Iran remains capable of retaliating across the region and disrupting global energy routes, but diplomacy has not been abandoned. Reports from state agencies, conservative outlets and more pragmatic publications were dominated by overnight US strikes and Iranian attacks on American military facilities. However, alongside the battlefield coverage, several outlets gave prominent space to ceasefire proposals and arguments in favour of negotiations. The immediate focus was the ninth consecutive night of US operations. Iranian media reported attacks in several parts of the country, including a military site southwest of Tabriz, where local authorities said one perso...
Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement announced on Monday that it was imposing an immediate maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, raising the prospect of renewed attacks on commercial vessels and opening another potential front in the widening regional conflict. Military spokesman Yahya Saree said the “full” embargo on Saudi maritime navigation had entered into force under the principle of “blockade for blockade.” He accused Riyadh of maintaining restrictions on Yemen’s ports and airports, seizing the country’s resources and subjecting Yemenis to a land, sea and air blockade for almost 12 years. Ansar Allah, commonly known as the Houthis, said its forces were prepared for “all options and possible scenarios” and warned that any comprehensive Saudi escalation would be met with a severe response. The movement did not, however, explain whether the embargo applies only to Saudi-owned or Saudi-flagged vessels, or to every ship calling at Saudi ports. It also gave no geographical limits or enforcement p...