Yemen’s Houthi rebels have launched ballistic missiles at a Saudi Arabian oil tanker in the Red Sea, marking a sharp escalation in the group’s campaign against commercial shipping.
The militant group claimed responsibility for the strike, which targets a key artery for global energy trade and signals a renewed willingness to use heavy weaponry against civilian vessels.
The incident comes at a precarious moment for maritime security.
Earlier this week, reports indicated that Red Sea tanker traffic was rebounding as diplomatic talks between the US and Iran helped ease shipping fears.
This latest attack undermines those gains, forcing insurers and shipping lines to reassess the risk premium for transiting the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
Brent crude prices are likely to face upward pressure as traders price in the potential for renewed supply disruptions and longer, more expensive routing around the Cape of Good Hope.