President Trump said he hopes the war involving Iran is nearing an end even as fighting intensifies, with Saudi air strikes in Yemen and Houthi drone and missile attacks on Saudi cities. The Houthi advance along the Red Sea and damage to Saudi Arabia's East–West pipeline have raised global oil-supply concerns, with Brent near $108 a barrel and U.S. diesel retail prices above $6.30 a gallon. The U.S. tightened travel guidance near the Yemen border, and Trump is expected to meet Gulf leaders at the U.N. to discuss next steps.
Trump Says Iran War May Be Nearing End as Houthi–Saudi Clashes Escalate, Stoking Oil Market Fears
The wreckage of what the Houthi military media wing says is a downed Saudi jet, at a location given as Yemen, in this still image from a handout video released on September 16, 2026. Houthi Military Media/Handout via REUTERS
U.S. President Donald Trump said he hoped the war involving Iran was drawing to a close even as the conflict entered its seventh month and fighting intensified across the region. Saudi warplanes struck Houthi positions in Yemen while Houthi fighters launched drones and missiles at Saudi cities, and footage released by the group showed fighters seizing armoured vehicles from Saudi-backed forces.
Houthi fighters stand in front of what they say is a downed Saudi jet, at a location given as Yemen, in this still image from a handout video released on September 16, 2026. Houthi Military Media/ Handout via REUTERS
Military Escalation and Regional Spread
The Iran-backed Houthis have advanced rapidly along Yemen's Red Sea coast and carried out attacks that damaged Saudi Arabia's East–West oil pipeline, extending Tehran's reach in the conflict and raising concerns about global energy supplies. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group launched strikes on the Red Sea port of Yanbu and the southern airbase at Khamis Mushait, and he claimed Saudi forces had carried out as many as 450 air strikes in Yemen this week. Riyadh has not confirmed that tally.
Men push against a piece of the wreckage of what the Houthi military media wing says is a downed Saudi jet, at a location given as Yemen, in this still image from a handout video released on September 16, 2026. Houthi Military Media/Handout via REUTERS
U.S. Response and Travel Guidance
As the war broadened into a new theatre, the United States tightened travel guidance for Saudi Arabia, prohibiting government employees from travelling within 20 miles (30 km) of the Yemen border. Trump reiterated that Iran appeared interested in negotiating, saying "They want to make a deal. We'll see how that works out," and added he had heard from Iran "directly," without elaborating.
Burning debris from the wreckage of what the Houthi military media wing says is a downed Saudi jet, at a location given as Yemen, in this still image from a handout video released on September 16, 2026. Houthi Military Media/Handout via REUTERS
Impact on Global Energy Markets
The conflict has already disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which previously carried about 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas. Traders warn a prolonged closure of Saudi Arabia's East–West pipeline could remove roughly 4% of global oil supply. Brent crude hovered around $108 a barrel on Wednesday—near highs not seen since May—while U.S. retail diesel prices hit a record above $6.30 a gallon. Oil prices eased in early Thursday trade after reports that Saudi Arabia might offer extra crude cargoes through Oman, with Brent futures sliding to about $104.59 a barrel by 00:49 GMT.
Diplomacy and Next Steps
Axios reported that Trump was expected to meet Gulf leaders on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly to discuss next steps; the meetings were said to include leaders or foreign ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council. The White House and State Department did not comment publicly on those reports.
Trump: "Well, hopefully we are towards the end of the war."
The situation remains fluid: battlefield claims and video from the Houthis underscore the intensification of clashes, while disruptions to critical energy infrastructure and regional tensions continue to reverberate through global markets and diplomatic channels.
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