Middle East Tensions Escalate with Iranian Threats to Undersea Cables and Houthi Attacks, Driving Oil Prices to $117

Iran has reportedly prepared plans to target Gulf undersea internet cables if conflict resumes, while US evacuations of diplomats from Middle East embassies have accelerated due to escalation and assassination-plot intelligence. Saudi forces intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh, and claims of tankers striking mines near Hormuz continue. These developments have pushed oil prices to $117, the highest since April, amid fears of further flare-ups. A group of middle powers (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey) and European counterparts met in Istanbul, criticizing Israeli policy, calling for an end to Houthi attacks, reopening of Hormuz, and diplomacy over potential new US/Israeli strikes.