Houthi Group Agrees to Truce for Sounion

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group has agreed to a temporary truce to allow tugboats and rescue ships to assist the damaged Greek-flagged crude oil tanker Sounion in the Red Sea, as confirmed by Iran's mission to the United Nations. The tanker has been leaking oil since it was struck by projectiles near Hodeidah, raising environmental concerns. Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam stated that while there is no formal truce, the group is permitting the towing of the Sounion following international requests. The Pentagon reported that the Houthis have threatened to attack assisting tugboats, complicating the rescue efforts. Iran has criticized other nations for delays in providing aid, attributing them to negligence rather than security concerns. The situation highlights ongoing tensions in the region amid the Houthis' attacks on shipping in solidarity with Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas conflict.