Middle East war escalates as Gulf states activate collective defense

Photo — Ibrahim Bashr / Pexels

The announcement marks a significant expansion of regional military coordination as Saudi Arabia faces threats from Iran-backed Houthi forces. Reports also indicate that the United States moved B-1 bombers from a British airbase after what President Donald Trump described as a threat, while Washington imposed additional sanctions on Iranian-linked financial and industrial sectors. The situation remains fluid, with conflicting reports about territorial advances near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait and continuing uncertainty over the scope of any planned troop deployment.

Sources: Reuters, BBC, Agence France-Presse, Arab News, NDTV