On July 22 and 23, Houthi forces struck at least one Saudi vessel and an unspecified Saudi‑flagged tanker in the Red Sea, while Iranian‑backed militias likely attacked Kuwait’s Abdali border crossing, marking a new phase in Iran’s regional campaign. Since July 20, the Houthis have imposed a naval blockade on Saudi shipping in the Bab al Mandeb Strait, disrupting commercial traffic. Iran has supported the Houthis with personnel, equipment and funding, and has expanded its own attacks on U.S. and allied installations in the Gulf. United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations confirmed on July 23 that the Houthis attacked a Saudi‑flagged tanker with an unknown projectile. Saudi state media reported a fire on the vessel ENCELIA but no casualties. Commercial ship tracking data showed a 40‑vessel decrease in traffic through the Bab al Mandeb since the blockade began on July 20. Reuters reported on July 23 that Iranian‑linked sources said IRGC commanders and missile equipment were transported to Yemen on July 13 via a diverted Mahan Air flight, which landed at Hudaydah Airport after Saudi‑backed forces attacked Sanaa Airport. The flight also carried gold intended to finance Houthi activities. The IRGC claimed on July 22 that an oil tanker struck a naval mine in the southern Strait of Hormuz, disabling the vessel and prompting other tankers to turn back, though ISW‑CTP has not observed any commercial vessels hitting mines in that corridor. UKMTO previously reported a floating mine in the southern route on July 7. U.S. intelligence officials told Reuters that Russia may be providing Iran with targeting intelligence, potentially improving the accuracy of Iran’s drone and missile attacks, including a March strike on a CIA outpost in Saudi Arabia that analysts said used Russian‑enhanced Shahed drones equipped with MANPADS. President Donald Trump told Axios on July 23 that he may order expanded U.S. strikes against Iran, describing a possible “massive attack,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that U.S. strikes will continue daily until Iran agrees to a deal. U.S. Central Command announced on July 22 that it conducted its 12th consecutive evening of strikes against Iranian maritime, missile, drone, surveillance and air‑defense sites across southern, southeastern and western Iran, with Iranian officials confirming explosions in Khuzestan, Hormozgan, Bushehr, Sistan and Baluchistan, Kermanshah and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces. The strike on the Shalamcheh border crossing reportedly killed two people, including an Iranian Artesh captain, though details remain unconfirmed. Negotiations between the United States and Iran have not yielded any substantive progress, and the continuation of Houthi attacks and Iranian support for regional militias suggest the conflict may persist despite diplomatic efforts.