By Shola Lawal, Heba Habib and Ali Mustafa
- The European Union “fully rejects” a US demand to release emergency diesel stocks as the fuel’s price soars in the United States and elsewhere amid the war with Iran.
- Yemen army spokesman Majed al-Nuzaili says government forces struck “high-value targets” in the capital, Sanaa, and carried out 20 air attacks against Houthis in the Taiz governorate.
Fighting sharply intensifies across the Taiz governorate
Fighting has sharply intensified across the Taiz governorate between the Saudi-backed forces fighting on behalf of the internationally-recognised government and Yemen’s Iran-allied Houthis, with heavy clashes involving tanks, artillery and machine guns reported on the northern and eastern fronts, alongside battles across the western countryside.
Saudi-backed government aircraft have carried out dozens of strikes across several areas, targeting what government forces say are Houthi positions and reinforcements advancing towards government-held territory.
The latest escalation comes about four weeks into renewed fighting along Taiz’s western coast, where both sides are competing for control of strategic mountain ranges and supply routes linking Taiz, Lahj and Aden.
The internationally-recognised government says Houthi fighters are attempting to make a breakthrough and seize key access routes that could bring government positions in Lahj, and the interim capital, Aden, within range.
The fighting has triggered a growing humanitarian crisis, with an estimated 200,000 people displaced towards Taiz, Lahj and Aden as bombardment has intensified over the past three days.
The conflict has also effectively shut down Mocha port, a key maritime outlet for Taiz, disrupting food and medical supplies. This has increased pressure on Aden port, while humanitarian and commercial shipments moving inland remain vulnerable as key roads and supply lines pass through contested areas.
Trump says South Korea oil deal now includes additional $8.4bn oil recovery project
President Trump has said a US deal with South Korea has now expanded to include $8.4bn for an oil recovery project.
“I am thrilled to announce the Republic of Korea Deal keeps getting BETTER!,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, referring to a wider agreement for Seoul to invest $200bn in US energy in exchange for lower tariffs.
“8.4 Billion Dollars for an enhanced Oil Recovery Project. Producing more Oil and Gas means American Energy Dominance and Energy Security in the World for the Future!” Trump added.
He did not reveal anymore details on what the oil recovery project entailed or where it would be sited.
Washington’s war on Iran has caused major disruptions to global oil supplies that have put the US domestic market itself on the back foot amid shortages and soaring prices.
UK government says no cause for concern over energy supplies
The cost of a litre of diesel today is hovering just under £2 ($2.65). We are at par with the record for diesel costs that were set during the last major price shock that happened in 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. The cost of filling an average family diesel car in the UK is now about $145. That’s $45 more than it cost before the US-Iran war.
Because the UK imports 55 percent of its diesel, and about a third of that comes from the United States, the UK is vulnerable to any export ban that the US might be considering. The UK’s main diesel refinery, Fawley, is currently shut down for maintenance.
The UK have emergency reserves that it could release if things get really bad. There is a national emergency fuel plan which would involve reserve tankers and channeling scarce supplies to critical supply chains.
The government, however, are saying that there is no cause for concern, that supplies are secure, and that the UK is talking to its international partners, the US and the EU.
