US pauses nightly strikes on Iran as Houthis intensify attacks on Saudi Arabia

Jul 25, 2026

The U.S. paused its nearly two-week run of nightly airstrikes against Iran, with President Trump confirming talks are underway. Simultaneously, Iran-backed Houthi rebels intensified attacks, striking two Saudi Aramco oil facilities in Jizan and Yanbu as retaliation for prior Saudi strikes. Saudi Arabia responded with new airstrikes on Yemen, while Iran denied any connection to the Houthi-Saudi conflict. Brent Crude oil closed at $98.38.

US-Iran military pause

▪On July 25, 2026, for the first time since July 13, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) did not report new airstrikes against Iran.
▪Iran also appeared to have refrained from launching new attacks on July 25, 2026, as the conflict entered its 148th day.
▪The pause in US strikes on Iran followed a nearly two-week run of nightly attacks.

US-Iran diplomatic talks

▪Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that hostilities between Houthis and Saudi Arabia "cannot be attributed to Iran."
▪President Donald Trump stated on July 24, 2026, that the U.S. is in talks with Iran.

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

▪Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks on two Saudi Aramco oil facilities in the Saudi towns of Jizan and Yanbu.
▪The Houthis said the attacks were retaliation for recent Saudi strikes against Yemen’s Hodeidah port and Kamaran Island.
▪The Houthi rebels are described as an "Iran-backed group".
▪The Houthis reaffirmed a "maritime embargo" against Saudi Arabia and warned of potential expanded operations.
▪The Houthi attacks damaged buildings and infrastructure belonging to the Saudi Aramco oil conglomerate.

Saudi-Yemen military response

▪Skirmishes between Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia have intensified.
▪In response to the Houthi attacks, Saudi Arabia launched new airstrikes against Yemen on July 25, 2026.

Oil market impact

▪AAA reported the national average price of regular gas in the U.S. stood at $4.11 on July 25, 2026.
▪The price of Brent Crude oil closed at $98.38 on Friday, July 24, 2026.