Iran-backed Houthis target Saudi shipping, raising fears of wider regional conflict

NPR | By Emily Feng,

Leila Fadel

Published July 21, 2026 at 4:44 AM EDT

Iran-backed Houthis impose Saudi maritime embargo, threatening Red Sea shipping and raising fears of renewed regional conflict.

Emily Feng

Emily Feng is NPR's Beijing correspondent.

Leila Fadel

Leila Fadel is a host of Morning Edition, as well as NPR's morning news podcast Up First.