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 an international correspondent for NPR covering China, Taiwan and beyond from her base in Washington D.C.

Leila Fadel

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

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