Yemen

The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Iranian and Hong Kong companies involved in the production of Iranian ballistic missiles and Shahed drones.

Oil prices rose on Friday after OPEC+ decided to keep its oil production policy unchanged, although prices were on track for a weekly drop due to unfounded reports of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Russian oil tankers continue to sail the Red Sea with little interruption due to Houthi attacks, as they have fewer ties to the Western countries targeted by the attacks, Reuters reports.

The EU plans to launch a naval mission in the Red Sea within the next three weeks to protect cargo ships from Houthi attacks in Yemen and reduce trade disruptions.

The US said Iranian-backed militants attacked troops stationed in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, killing three and wounding 25 others.

The US military launched an air strike on Yemen on January 27, targeting a Houthi anti-ship missile that was ready to launch and posed a threat to commercial vessels and US Navy ships in the Red Sea region.

Western and regional officials accuse Iranian paramilitary forces of providing Yemeni Houthis with real-time intelligence to attack ships in the Red Sea.

The United States accused Iran of involvement in planning attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, which led to a change in shipping routes. Iran denies any involvement; meanwhile, a US-led naval coalition has been formed to protect maritime traffic.

The UK has sent the destroyer HMS Diamond to the Red Sea as part of Operation Guardian of Prosperity in response to Houthi attacks on shipping lanes that are vital to trade.

The United States has announced the launch of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational initiative to secure shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks.

Global container shipping companies are suspending operations in the Red Sea due to Houthi attacks on civilian vessels, and leading companies such as Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are temporarily suspending their cargo transportation.

Yemen's Houthi group attacks two cargo ships in the Red Sea: one was hit by a drone and the other by a ballistic missile; a US official confirms that a Liberian-flagged vessel was hit, causing a fire.

Finland expects an increase in the number of migrants from countries such as Afghanistan and Syria arriving through Russia and is considering new measures to control the influx after having already closed most of its entry points.