Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for striking two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea, marking a significant escalation in regional hostilities.
The militant group stated that the attacks were carried out in a military operation, with a Saudi news agency confirming that one of the two vessels is ablaze.
While the Strait of Hormuz has seen a surge in oil flows to 10 million barrels a day as shipping resumed earlier this month, the Red Sea remains a high-risk zone for commercial traffic.
This development comes as the US military reported conducting strikes against Iran for the 12th consecutive day, aiming to degrade Tehran's ability to attack commercial vessels.
The simultaneous escalation in the Red Sea and the ongoing US campaign against Iran underscores the persistent volatility in key global shipping corridors.
While the Strait of Hormuz has seen a surge in oil flows to 10 million barrels a day as shipping resumed earlier this month, the Red Sea remains a high-risk zone for commercial traffic.
The Houthi attacks signal a dangerous expansion of their naval campaign, potentially forcing insurers and shipping companies to reassess risk premiums and routing strategies for vessels transiting the region.