Live: West Asia conflict escalates as Saudi Arabia vows strong response to Houthi attacks

Shipping traffic at the Strait of Hormuz dwindled further at the start of this week after attacks intensified in ‌West Asia, shipping data showed. Commodity vessel transits at Hormuz totalled four on ⁠Monday, down from 10 during the previous day, preliminary data from Kpler showed on Tuesday. Two dry bulk carriers exited ‌the waterway, including one laden and one ballast vessel, while two oil tankers ‌entered the strait, both in ballast mode. The ‌figures ⁠exclude some vessels that might have ⁠crossed the strait with their Automatic Identification System transponders turned off to avoid detection. - Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Republican congressman Wesley Hunt, a US Army veteran, as his new ambassador to Saudi Arabia -- a post that had been left vacant amid the war with Iran. Hunt’s nomination was sent Monday (September 14) to the U.S. Senate, which must vote on his confirmation. “Having served in the region both in combat as an Army officer and for two years as a diplomatic liaison in the Kingdom, I understand the strategic importance of the partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia and the profound responsibility of this position,” Hunt said in a post on X. - AFP

Saudi Arabia warned Tuesday it will react “firmly” to Yemen’s Houthis, after a series of attacks carried out by the pro-Iranian rebels using ballistic missiles and drones wounded 13 civilians in the country’s south. The Houthis have been engaged in renewed fighting with Saudi-backed government forces since Yemen’s civil war reignited in July, when the group declared a maritime blockade on Riyadh and began targeting its ships in the Red Sea. The group seized control of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait last week, which has become vital as the wider U.S.-Iran war chokes the Strait of Hormuz, in a significant blow to Yemeni government forces. - AFP

An Iranian atomic official on Monday (September 14, 2026) accused the United States of “malicious” behaviour and “bullying” after Tehran said the U.S. officials had blocked it from a conference of the United Nations nuclear energy agency. Iran's atomic official condemns U.S. for "malicious" actions and access denial at IAEA conference, calling it unprecedented bullying.

The U.S. Department of Defence’s inspector general revealed Monday (September 14, 2026) that the United States is facing a shortfall in ammunition as a result of its costly war in Iran. In a first-of-its-kind mandatory report to Congress, the inspector said that between February 28 and June 30, Operation Epic Fury (OEF) had an estimated cost of $33.4 billion, with $22.3 billion of that spent on expended munitions alone. U.S. military report reveals ammunition shortfall due to costly Iran war, highlighting strategic inventory issues and industrial bottlenecks.