Houthis Claim Red Sea Attacks on Saudi Oil Tankers, Risking New Chokepoint
The Iranian-aligned Houthis claimed missile and drone strikes on two Saudi oil tankers, the Encelia and the Layla, in the Red Sea on Thursday, as part of a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. This raises the risk of a second chokepoint for global oil supplies at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, coordinated with Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz. Five tankers changed course and three Saudi oil tankers bound for China and India made U-turns on Tuesday. The US military launched a 12th successive night of strikes on Iran at President Donald Trump's direction on Wednesday. The Houthis announced the blockade on Monday, viewed as a tactical move by Iran to gain leverage in diplomatic efforts. Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has already stoked global inflation and pushed up oil prices, pressuring Trump's Republican allies ahead of November congressional elections.
Key facts
- Houthis claimed missile and drone strikes on two Saudi oil tankers, Encelia and Layla, in the Red Sea on Thursday.
- The attacks are part of a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia announced on Monday.
- The blockade risks creating a second chokepoint at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, coordinated with Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Five tankers changed course and three Saudi oil tankers bound for China and India made U-turns on Tuesday.
- US military launched a 12th successive night of strikes on Iran at President Trump's direction on Wednesday.
- Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has stoked global inflation and pushed up oil prices.
- The unpopular war has put Trump's Republican allies under pressure ahead of November congressional elections.
- The Houthis are Yemen-based militants aligned with Iran.
Entities
Institutions
- Houthis
- US military
- Republican Party
- Saudi Arabia
- Iran
- China
- India
Locations
- Red Sea
- Bab el-Mandeb Strait
- Strait of Hormuz
- Arabian Peninsula
- Yemen
- Saudi Arabia
- Iran
- United States