Yemen’s internationally-recognized government blamed Iran-backed Houthi insurgents, who declared a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea ports last month. UPDATE, AUG 4:Twenty vessels — 12 tankers and eight bulk carriers — passed through the Bab al-Mandeb strait between the Red Sea and the Gulf on Monday. They faced the blockade on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea ports by Yemen’s Iran-linked Houthis. ORIGINAL ENTRY: The Trump Administration has retreated from wider US strikes in its War on Iran, reportedly because of objections by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. However, the Crown Prince “urged Trump to de-escalate and refrain from launching the strikes” in a phone call”, according to one source.