Due care and attention to all parties' concerns key to peace and stability in the Middle East

Although the US president said the series of air strikes on the Houthi-held areas in Yemen on Saturday were to protect US shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore navigational freedom, there should be no doubt the move aims to exert pressure on Iran, the backer of the Houthis.

The United States' air strikes, which continued on Sunday, came one day after the Houthis issued a four-day ultimatum to Israel, saying they would resume attacks on Israeli ships in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and nearby waters unless Israel allowed humanitarian aid into the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza.

The US' attacks essentially serve to ease the pressure on Israel that is engaged in ceasefire talks with Hamas, another Iran-backed militant group.