Australian court rejects Hanson’s racial appeal

A new threat by Yemen’s Houthi movement to impose a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia has raised concerns about global energy supplies as tensions across the Middle East continue to escalate. The announcement comes at a time when shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has already been disrupted, increasing fears that two of the region’s most important oil routes could be affected at the same time. The Iran aligned Houthi group said it plans to target Saudi Arabia through a blockade in the Red Sea. While the group has not explained how it intends to enforce the measure, the warning has intensified concerns over the security of international shipping and energy exports. The Bab el Mandeb Strait at the southern entrance to the Red Sea is one of the world’s most important maritime routes. It connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as a key passage for oil shipments travelling between the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Since disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia has redirected much of its crude oil exports to its Red Sea port of Yanbu. From there, shipments bound for Europe pass through the Suez Canal, while cargo heading to Asian markets travels south through the Bab el Mandeb Strait. Industry data shows that oil exports from Yanbu have increased sharply over the past year, making the Red Sea an increasingly vital route for global energy markets. Millions of barrels of petroleum now pass through the Bab el Mandeb every day, helping to stabilise international oil supplies despite ongoing tensions elsewhere in the region. Analysts warn that any serious disruption in the Red Sea could significantly affect global energy prices by restricting another major export route from the Gulf. Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering expanding its pipeline network to the Red Sea coast to reduce dependence on vulnerable sea lanes. The Houthis have been involved in conflict with Yemen’s internationally recognised government for more than a decade and have previously launched missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia. Although a truce reached in 2022 reduced fighting, tensions have risen again following recent military strikes around Sanaa. The latest escalation began after Yemen’s recognised government said it had targeted Sanaa airport to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing. The Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia for the attack and responded by firing missiles towards Abha airport in southern Saudi Arabia. A senior Houthi official later warned that continued escalation could lead to the closure of the Bab el Mandeb Strait. Although the Houthis maintain that they make their own military decisions, the United States has long accused Iran of supplying the group with weapons, funding and training. The Houthis reject claims that they act as an Iranian proxy. The movement previously disrupted international shipping after the outbreak of the Gaza war in late 2023. It launched attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, saying the operations were intended to support Palestinians. Those attacks forced many major shipping companies to reroute vessels around southern Africa, increasing transport costs and delaying deliveries worldwide. Although Red Sea traffic had begun recovering after attacks eased, shipping through the Suez Canal remains well below previous levels. The latest Houthi threat has renewed fears that instability could once again disrupt one of the world’s busiest trade routes. During the recent conflict involving Iran, the Houthis played a more limited military role than other armed groups aligned with Tehran. However, their latest announcement suggests they may now be prepared to increase pressure on regional rivals, raising fresh concerns over the security of global energy supplies and international trade.

TEHRAN: Iran has vowed to strengthen its economy and find ways to withstand what it calls unjustified US sanctions, as Washington prepares to announce a new package of economic measures against Tehran. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian and Iraqi business representatives in Baghdad on Friday. Ghalibaf said economic strength and national security were closely connected. He accused the United States and Israel of using economic and political pressure after failing to achieve their objectives through direct military confrontation. He called for stronger economic cooperation between Iran and Iraq. He also suggested that the two neighbours increase trade using their national currencies to reduce dependence on the US dollar. Ghalibaf said Iran and Iraq should focus on economic development and shared prosperity despite pressure from Western countries. The comments came a day after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans for what he described as the toughest sanctions ever imposed on Iran. Bessent said further details of the measures would be released on Monday. He suggested that maximum economic pressure could reduce the need for another major military operation against Iran. US President Donald Trump has also warned countries and businesses against providing financial or economic support to Tehran. Trump described the planned campaign as an unprecedented effort of economic warfare and isolation. He warned that countries allowing financial institutions, companies, airports or government bodies to provide assistance to Iran could face severe economic consequences. Iran has strongly rejected the US pressure. Its Foreign Ministry described the latest sanctions as economic terrorism and said they would not weaken Iran’s determination to protect its independence and sovereignty. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also accused Washington of trying to divert attention from economic problems inside the United States. China rejects sanctions strategy China has opposed Washington’s approach and said sanctions and economic pressure would not solve the conflict. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian called on all sides to adopt responsible measures and seek a political and diplomatic solution. China has significant economic ties with Iran and remains a major buyer of Iranian oil. Data from energy analytics firm Kpler indicated that China accounted for more than 80% of Iran’s shipped oil purchases in 2025. The issue could further complicate US-China relations. Washington has warned against economic cooperation with Tehran, while China has repeatedly criticised unilateral sanctions. Bessent said the United States was seeking cooperation from its allies and other countries. He argued that China had a strong interest in maintaining stability in the Gulf because a significant portion of its energy supplies comes from the region. The latest sanctions threat comes as the wider Middle East conflict continues to disrupt energy markets and regional trade. Oil prices rose after Trump announced plans for stronger economic measures against Iran. The conflict has affected oil supplies and raised concerns about shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway handles a significant share of global oil trade and has become a major point of tension during the conflict. The United States and Iran have announced ceasefire agreements on two occasions in recent months, but both arrangements have broken down. Iran now faces growing economic pressure from Washington while attempting to maintain trade and regional partnerships.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that Iran’s demand to control shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could create a dangerous international precedent with serious consequences for global trade and economic stability. Speaking at a meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers in Manila, Rubio said allowing any country to control an international waterway and impose tolls through force would undermine international law and encourage similar actions in other regions. Rubio addressed ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the start of their annual gathering, where concerns over renewed fighting in the Middle East dominated discussions. He assured regional partners that despite Washington’s focus on the conflict with Iran, the United States remains fully committed to its relationship with ASEAN and its security partnerships in Asia. He warned that if Iran is allowed to demand payment from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz while threatening attacks against those that refuse, it could encourage other countries to adopt similar tactics in strategic waterways around the world. Rubio said such a development would pose a serious threat not only to the Middle East but also to the Indo Pacific region, where global shipping routes are equally vital. The US secretary also accused Iran of backing away from commitments made under an earlier ceasefire arrangement. He said Tehran has contacted Washington through both direct and indirect channels to discuss possible negotiations. While the United States remains open to a diplomatic solution, Rubio said it would not tolerate attacks on commercial shipping or American personnel in the region. The ASEAN meeting has brought together senior diplomats from major global powers including the United States, China, Russia, India, Japan, and Australia. Many participating countries expressed concern over the impact of the Iran conflict on energy supplies and international markets. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow hopes for a quick resolution to tensions between Washington and Tehran. He stated that continued conflict hurts the global economy and affects Russia as well. Lavrov added that stable energy prices are important for long term economic planning and said Russia supports efforts to end the crisis peacefully. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also called for an immediate ceasefire and renewed negotiations. She warned that the security situation in the Middle East could worsen without warning and stressed that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is essential for restoring stability in global energy markets. The International Energy Agency has described the current situation as a major warning for Southeast Asia’s energy security. The region depends heavily on oil and liquefied natural gas transported through the Strait of Hormuz. According to the agency, Asian countries imported about 80 percent of the crude oil and nearly 90 percent of the liquefied natural gas passing through the waterway last year. Any prolonged disruption could increase energy prices and place additional pressure on economies across the region. On the sidelines of the summit, Rubio also met foreign ministers from the Quad partnership, which includes the United States, Australia, India, and Japan. The group reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation while expressing concern over China’s growing influence in regional waters. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi criticised attempts to change the regional balance through force, referring to disputes in the South China Sea and East China Sea. Penny Wong echoed those concerns, saying that actions increasing regional instability must be addressed through dialogue and international cooperation. Rubio also held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The two discussed a recent confrontation between Chinese and Philippine forces in disputed waters. Rubio described the incident as an escalation and said disagreements between Washington and Beijing must be managed carefully to avoid wider conflict. He added that both sides also discussed trade issues ahead of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year. Rubio is expected to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov again to discuss the war in Ukraine and explore whether there is an opportunity to revive diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict. Officials said the meetings in Manila highlight the growing connection between security challenges in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo Pacific as world leaders seek ways to prevent further instability.