Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for firing ballistic missiles at a Saudi oil tanker in the Red Sea, marking a further escalation in their campaign against commercial shipping.
The group stated that the strike was part of an ongoing naval offensive, targeting vessels linked to Saudi Arabia as part of broader regional hostilities.
The incident intensifies concerns over the security of key maritime corridors.
With the Red Sea already a focal point for shipping disruption, the targeting of a Saudi-flagged tanker signals a potential widening of the conflict’s scope.
Markets are likely to factor in heightened route risk, which could support freight rates and energy prices if disruptions persist.
This development follows recent reports of Houthi strikes on two other Saudi oil tankers in the same region, indicating a coordinated effort to disrupt energy flows.