The Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, citing the actions as part of a broader naval blockade on the kingdom.
These strikes have raised concerns about potential disruptions to oil shipments, particularly in a region already under tension due to Iran's attempts to control the Strait of Hormuz.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which the Houthis control in Yemen, is strategically opposite to the Strait of Hormuz and plays a vital role in global oil transit. Analysts suggest the blockade could be a calculated Iranian move to gain leverage in any diplomatic push to end the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
The U.S. military reported a new wave of strikes in Iran at the direction of President Donald Trump, marking the 12th consecutive night of American military action in the region. Meanwhile, five tankers rerouted away from the Red Sea to avoid potential hostilities, and three Saudi oil tankers—bound for China and India—reversed their course. The Houthis identified the targeted vessels as the Encelia and the Layla, asserting their forces carried out missile and drone strikes.
Iran’s ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has already driven up global inflation, with oil prices spiking and U.S. consumers feeling the pinch.