Only seven ships passed through the Strait of Ormuz on Thursday, representing a significant drop in maritime traffic through the region. This reduced number marks a new obstacle for the United States, which seeks to maintain freedom of navigation through this strategic sea route.
The reduction in ship traffic occurs at a time of growing tension in the region, with the Houthis intensifying their threats. The Yemeni group has been carrying out attacks on ships in the Red Sea, affecting one of the world's most important trade routes.
The Houthis are also further threatening the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb, another strategic passage that complements Ormuz as a crucial point for international maritime trade. This dual pressure on both maritime passages has worried Western powers.
The article's title mentions that Trump reportedly refused to attack the Houthis, which suggests that the American administration weighed a more direct military response to the group's threat but chose not to. This decision comes in a context where tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate.
