Houthi militants in Yemen announced on Thursday that they carried out missile and drone strikes against two Saudi oil tankers, the Encelia and the Layla, in the Red Sea. Saudi state media confirmed that the Encelia caught fire following an attack near the port of Jizan, while the status of the Layla remains unverified. The Houthis stated the actions are part of a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia.
The announcement follows a series of maritime disruptions, with five tankers rerouting on Wednesday to avoid the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This development occurs as the Strait of Hormuz remains largely obstructed by Iranian forces. Shipping data indicates that two Chinese supertankers carrying four million barrels of Saudi oil are currently approaching the Red Sea exit.
In response to the maritime tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States would target Iranian infrastructure if shipping continue to be harassed. Following these remarks, the U.S. Central Command reported a 12th consecutive night of strikes against Iranian targets, including reported hits near Bushehr. Iranian state media reported that recent U.S. strikes resulted in at least two deaths and 11 injuries at a border crossing with Iraq.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards stated that the Strait of Hormuz is "completely closed" and warned of retaliatory strikes against regional energy infrastructure if the U.S. targets Iranian facilities. The closure of these shipping lanes has contributed to rising global oil prices and increased transportation costs for energy exports traveling toward the Suez Canal.