- US military has initiated a 12th consecutive night of strikes against Iran amid escalating tensions in the region.
- The Houthis have claimed responsibility for attacking two Saudi oil tankers, the Encelia and the Layla, as part of a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia.
- The Houthi attacks on the tankers could potentially close the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a critical waterway for global energy markets.
- Following the Houthi announcement of their blockade, several tankers have altered their routes, opting for the Suez Canal instead of the Bab el-Mandeb.
- The Houthi threat to impose a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia has raised significant concerns among current and former U.S. officials.
- Global oil prices surged, with Brent crude futures rising 4.80% to $98.59 a barrel amid the escalating conflict.
The U.S. military has initiated its 12th consecutive night of strikes against Iran, reflecting the ongoing conflict's intensification. Concurrently, Yemen's Houthi forces have claimed responsibility for missile and drone strikes on two Saudi oil tankers, the Encelia and Layla, asserting they violated a naval blockade.123
The attacks occurred near the Saudi port of Jizan, igniting a fire on the Encelia, according to Saudi state news agency SPA. Global oil prices surged to their highest levels since last month's truce, with Brent crude futures rising 4.80% to $98.59 a barrel as fears of a blockade loom. The Houthis' actions could potentially close the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a critical passage for energy markets, raising alarms over global oil supply disruptions.47
U.S. officials have warned that if the Houthis continue their attacks, Iran will be held accountable, as the group is viewed as a proxy. Senator Marco Rubio expressed concerns, stating, “If they do this again, the US will hold Iran responsible.” He added that the Houthis may have been misled by Iran into escalating the conflict.
The Houthi threat to impose a blockade has already prompted some tankers to reroute through the Suez Canal, opting for a longer and costlier journey to avoid the Red Sea. International calls for the Houthis to cease actions endangering shipping have intensified, with officials emphasizing the need for de-escalation to protect global energy supplies.56
“The Houthis identified the struck tankers as the Encelia and Layla, with a maritime security source confirming the Encelia was hit by a missile near the Saudi port of Jizan. Global oil prices jumped 4.8% to $98.59 a barrel on the threat to the Bab el-Mandeb strait.”
