Iran has threatened the United States with new measures it describes as economic warfare, including missile action, and vowed to establish a maritime exclusion zone, according to TimesLIVE. The reported threats come as US sanctions on Tehran intensify and as Houthi forces launched an attack on Saudi Arabia. The developments signal heightened tensions across the Gulf region involving Iran, the United States and its regional allies.

A Liberian oil tanker, the Stoic Warrior, successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, despite threats to shipping from Iran's Revolutionary Guard. The tanker utilized a new route near Oman’s shore, which has been endorsed by a U.N. maritime agency. This incident occurs amid escalating tensions between Iran and other nations in the region.

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has increased following a recent deal between the US and Iran aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. On Saturday, 42 ships transited the waterway, indicating a significant rise in maritime activity in the region since the agreement was reached.

The United Nations has begun evacuating approximately 11,000 sailors who have been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz since the onset of the US-Israel war on Iran on February 28, which led to Tehran effectively closing off this crucial maritime route.

The global economy is facing uncertainty as Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing conflict with Israel and the United States. This strait is crucial for the passage of approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and gas. While some ships have managed to navigate the strait, they have done so under Iran's conditions, reportedly paying tolls for safe passage. The situation remains tense as the world awaits the reopening of this vital waterway.

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi forces have launched drone strikes targeting four Saudi cities, according to Legit.ng, igniting oil installations and releasing video of the attacks. The escalation comes amid rising tensions in the Gulf and a broader Middle East conflict, pushing Brent crude prices above $99 per barrel. Saudi Arabia, described as a top United States ally, has faced repeated Houthi attacks on its energy infrastructure in past years. The reported strikes signal a further intensification of regional hostilities.