LiveLive Updates July 28, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeJuly 28, 2026UpdatesHouthis pushing to model Iran's Hormuz control in Red Sea, Yemeni FM saysUniversity students walk over depictions of the U.S., Israeli, and U.K. flags while marching in a demonstration to show their support for the Houthi movement amid escalating tensions with Saudi Arabia, at the Sanaa University campus in Yemen's Houthi-held capital Sanaa on Wednesday. Credit: AFP/MOHAMMED HUWAISUniversity students walk over depictions of the U.S., Israeli, and U.K. flags while marching in a demonstration to show their support for the Houthi movement amid escalating tensions with Saudi Arabia, at the Sanaa University campus in Yemen's Houthi-held capital Sanaa on Wednesday. Credit: AFP/MOHAMMED HUWAISYemen's Houthi Movement aims to replicate Iran's Hormuz Strait strategy in the Red Sea by disrupting shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb and has been emboldened by an insufficient international response, Yemen's top diplomat said on Monday."The Houthis want to copy the Iranian model and this will shut down two main straits, the gateways into the Gulf and Red Sea," Yemeni Foreign Minister-designate Afrah Al-Zouba said, speaking to a small group of journalists at the Yemeni embassy in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.Zouba said Yemen's government, which enjoys strong Saudi backing, was prepared for an escalation and that firing was taking place along the frontline, spanning the country's northwest from the Red Sea up to the Saudi border, but neither side had yet mounted an offensive."We think that this conflict now needs to come to an end, either via peaceful means, or the other way," she said.RECAP: Trump says U.S. 'close' with Israel on Iran, 'good talks' ongoing with Tehran; Israel releases 60 Palestinian detainees to GazaHere are Tuesday's latest updates:■ U.S. President Donald Trump said "good talks" were ongoing with Tehran and that the United States is "pretty close" with Israel on Iran. "I have plenty of time," the president told reporters aboard Air Force One, adding there was a "good chance something will happen."■ Earlier, Trump told U.S. outlet Axios that he is ready for "strong military action" if Iran talks fail. Asked how long he's willing to give diplomacy, Trump said, "Not much time. Either it goes fast or not at all."■ The U.S. military's Central Command said it "redirected 17 commercial vessels, disabled 2 and boarded 2 to ensure compliance" with its blockade on Iranian ports.■ Israel is expected to release 60 Palestinian security detainees from Israeli detention facilities to the Gaza Strip, the IDF and the Hamas-affiliated Palestinian Prisoners' Media Office said, in what would be the largest detainee release since the October hostage deal.■ The IDF said it killed Amro Abu Alrish, whom it described as an Islamic Jihad combatant, and Abd Al-Nasser Al-Aziz Maqadmeh, described as a Hamas policeman and military commander, in two separate strikes in the Gaza Strip on Saturday.■ Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders met with Israel's defense minister and touted staunch support for Israel and its West Bank settlements, saying, "I will continue to stand alongside the State of Israel and the settlement movement in Samaria without reservation," according to the Defense Ministry.■ The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem said it extended its measure restricting U.S. government personnel and family members from entering the West Bank until July 29, citing "heightened security concerns and increased volatility."In the NewsIDF Intercepts Drone Near Jordan Border; Origin Under ReviewMichigan Democratic Senate Primary Is 2026's Top Referendum on Israel, AIPACWhy Does the World Support Ukraine but Not Israel?Citing Urgency, Israel Cabinet Bypasses Knesset to Recognize Gaza Board of PeaceIsrael's Troubles in the North Bore Netanyahu and His Callous CoalitionRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIIsrael's Far Right Is Repeating the Sin That Brought Down the TempleEd Miliband, the U.K.'s New Foreign Secretary – and His History With IsraelWith the West Bank Primed to Explode, Israel's Government Sees an OpportunityTwo Israelis, Four Palestinians Killed in Clash After Settlers Enter TownAl Jazeera Reportedly Ends Contracts of Over 20 Gazan JournalistsBiden Officials Now Regret What They Let Israel Do in Gaza. Does It Matter?