World news updates: Netanyahu wishes Trump on Israeli New Year, hails ‘blockade of Iran’s evil regime’

In a post on X, Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu (right) wished US President Donald Trump (left), his family and the people of US "Shana Tova—a happy and healthy New Year." (Photo: X/@netanyahu)

A senior military official with Yemen’s internationally recognised government said the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have taken the island of Mayun after government forces withdrew from there on Thursday. A Houthi official confirmed the rebels were on the island, also known as Perim, about 3.5 kilometres off Yemen’s west coast. The Houthis also reached the Yemeni town of Dhubab ⁠which ​sits directly on the ​Bab ​el-Mandeb Strait across ⁠from the island of ‌Perim

Story continues below this ad

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) phoned President Trump twice on Thursday, pressing him to order strikes on the Houthis as the Iran-backed group advanced towards a key Red Sea chokepoint, two US officials told Axios. Trump turned down the request, and US officials said the administration has no plans to intervene directly against the Houthis for now.

The US-Iran war is intensifying on multiple fronts, with Washington tightening its economic squeeze on Tehran even as fighting spreads across shipping lanes, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia. Treasury officials confirmed a major new sanctions target is coming, while battlefield activity around the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea signals no near-term resolution.

Treasury vows new bank sanctions: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that Washington will hit a major, unnamed bank with sanctions early next week, part of an ongoing pressure campaign against Tehran. He indicated the penalty had originally been planned for Friday but was pushed back out of respect for September 11 memorial events. Bessent framed the strategy as financial isolation severe enough to threaten any company or individual still doing business with Iran, while separately, President Trump suggested the conflict would likely stretch on until after the US midterm elections in November.

Key Developments

• New sanctions incoming: The US Treasury plans to sanction a large, undisclosed bank on Monday as part of its ongoing economic pressure campaign against Iran.
• Yemen’s port city falls: Houthi forces have taken control of Mocha, a key Red Sea port, tightening their grip near the vital Bab el-Mandeb shipping strait.
• Shipping under threat: Wednesday saw the heaviest attacks on vessels since the war began, pushing oil prices above $100 a barrel for the first time since July.
• Military and diplomatic fallout spreads: Iranian strikes damaged US aircraft in Jordan, Iran claims it hit a US drone vessel in Hormuz, and Saudi Arabia faced repeated missile alerts from Houthi attacks.
• No quick end in sight: Trump says the war will likely continue until after the November US midterms, even as economic pain from sanctions and rising oil prices grows.

Follow the latest world news and major international developments here. This live blog is a rolling curation of the day’s key global stories, with updates added as events unfold and the news agenda changes. The headline, introduction and Top Developments section will be refreshed throughout the day to reflect the stories that matter most at that moment.

Live Updates