Houthis claim attack on oil tankers after US launches more strikes on Iran

Yemen's Houthi militants have claimed responsibility for attacks on two oil tankers in the Red Sea, marking a significant escalation in regional maritime tensions. The reported strikes follow the 12th consecutive night of US military operations targeting Iranian positions. According to the Saudi Gazette, one of the incidents involved the Saudi-owned vessel Encelia, which caught fire following an explosion in the Red Sea; officials noted that no crew members were injured in the incident.

These developments occur against a backdrop of heightened instability as the conflict involving Iran continues to impact global energy corridors. Iranian state media reported that two individuals were killed during the latest US strikes on Wednesday, while simultaneously reporting a separate tanker fire in a mined route within the Strait of Hormuz. The US administration has previously issued stern warnings regarding the security of these critical waterways, with President Donald Trump threatening retaliatory measures against both Iranian infrastructure and Houthi forces should they continue to disrupt international shipping.

The Houthi group’s stated intent to block the Bab al-Mandab Strait poses a direct threat to a vital alternative route for Middle Eastern oil exports. As global energy markets react to the ongoing volatility, the international community remains focused on the potential for further disruptions to maritime traffic. Analysts suggest that the convergence of the Houthi blockade threats and the broader US-Iran military confrontation creates a high-risk environment for commercial vessels operating in the region, with stakeholders closely monitoring the situation for further developments.