Yemen conflict, US strikes on Iranian tankers

0:00Al Jazeera podcasts. Pakistan's Defence Minister warns the Ansarullah Houthis that the Mecca Joint Defence Alliance could be activated due to the Yemen conflict. Koazha Arsef says an attack on one member is to be treated as an attack on all. On Tuesday, Yemen's Houthis attacks Saudi Arabia, targeting energy facilities and other civilian sites. Riyadh has responded to those attacks. The Houthis say Saudi-backed government forces have launched more than 30 strikes across Yemen and there's been heavy fighting west of Tayyiz. It is all part of an escalating conflict and battle for territory and Yemen. The Houthis control the capital sun and the north-west, including most of the Red Sea coast. The internationally recognized government controls much of southern and eastern Yemen. Global oil prices have surged to $100 a barrel following more attacks between the US and Iran.

1:04The US military says it's destroyed five Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf. Central Command says the strikes are in response to recent attacks by Iran's revolutionary guard, targeting a US Navy vessel with ballistic missiles. Sent comms says the warship evaded both attacks and that no personnel were hurt. The US's crews on board the Iranian vessels were ordered to abandon the ships before the attacks. Central Command has also rejected an earlier statement by Iran's Revolution Regard that it had targeted two US Navy destroyers. The US military says no American warships have been struck and that all attempted attacks by Iran have failed. Iran says it also attacked a US military base in Jordan. Missile interceptions were seen near the city of Erbid about 70 kilometers north of Amman. Jordan says it's air defenses down 18 of the 20 missiles launched towards its territory. Iran's foreign ministry has released a statement condemning the US attacks targeting Iranian oil tankers.

2:05It says the aggressive actions of the US Army against Iranian commercial vessels not only constitute a dangerous escalation of tensions in the region, but are also considered an overt threat to regional and international peace and security. Iran will not hesitate to exercise their inherent right of self-defense and will resolutely respond as appropriate to any military aggression by the enemy. On the Inside Story podcast we're discussing the implications of the alternative for Germany's victory in the eastern state of Saxony Unhalt. It's the best result for a far right party since the Nazi era. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.