- The US launched its 12th successive night of strikes against Iran, targeting military capabilities to degrade Tehran’s ability to attack commercial vessels.
- The Houthi attacks followed a declared maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia, a move that officials said could widen the US-Iran war and strain the US military.
- Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it stopped three oil tankers from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, claiming one exploded and caught fire.
- Two Chinese supertankers carrying 4m barrels of Saudi oil headed for the Bab el-Mandeb strait to exit the Red Sea, testing the Houthi blockade.
- The UKMTO reported an unknown projectile struck a Saudi tanker 130 km from Al Shuqaiq, resulting in a fire with no casualties.
- Oil prices rose as tensions escalated: Brent crude at $96.08 and WTI at $88.06.
Yemen's Houthi militia has escalated tensions in the Red Sea by attacking two Saudi oil tankers, the Encelia and Layla, with drones and missiles, claiming they violated a maritime blockade. The Saudi Press Agency confirmed that the Encelia was struck, resulting in a fire at the bow, but all crew members are reported safe.
This incident marks the first attack since the Houthis announced their blockade, which U.S. officials warn could widen the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran. The U.S. Central Command reported that American forces conducted their 12th consecutive night of strikes against Iran, targeting military assets to reduce Tehran's capacity to threaten commercial shipping. The strikes included hits on maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, and air defense assets, with Centcom stating, “The strikes further degrade Iran's ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels.”
In a related development, the Islamic Republic's foreign minister warned of retaliation, stating, “Our defense doctrine is clear: eye for an eye.” Oil prices surged as hostilities escalated, with international benchmark futures rising 2.1% to $96.08 per barrel. The situation remains tense as both sides prepare for potential further confrontations.7
“The IRGC stopped three oil tankers from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, claiming one exploded and caught fire; Iran's foreign minister warned: "Our defense doctrine is clear: eye for an eye." Separately, two Chinese supertankers carrying 4m barrels of Saudi oil head for the Bab el-Mandeb strait to test the Houthi blockade.”
The Guardian
CNBC
