Houthis claim tanker strikes as US-Iran conflict widens at sea

Yemen’s Houthi movement said it attacked two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea with drones and missiles, extending maritime pressure around one of the world’s most sensitive energy corridors. Oil prices rose Thursday as the United States said it had carried out a 12th consecutive round of strikes against Iran.

The Iran-backed group said Wednesday it targeted the Encelia and the Layla, alleging the vessels had breached a maritime blockade the Houthis announced against Saudi Arabia. The claimed operation would be the first since that naval blockade was declared, according to CNBC.

Saudi Arabia’s state-run Saudi Press Agency confirmed that the Encelia had been targeted while moving through the Red Sea. Citing an unnamed official at the Transport General Authority, SPA said a fire broke out at the vessel’s bow, all crew members were safe and the attack breached international law.

SPA did not report an incident involving the Layla. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said separately Wednesday that an unknown projectile hit a Saudi Arabian oil tanker about 130 kilometers from Al Shuqaiq, a coastal town in Saudi Arabia. UKMTO said the strike caused a fire on board and that no casualties had been reported.

Maritime pressure spreads beyond Hormuz

The Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz are central to the region’s oil flows. The Houthis’ announced embargo on Saudi Arabia added pressure away from Hormuz, where the US and Iran have already been confronting each other over shipping access.

A naval blockade seeks to restrict vessels from entering or leaving targeted ports or waters. In practice, enforcement can include threats, interceptions or attacks on ships that a group says are violating the restriction. The Houthis have not been recognized as having lawful authority to impose such a blockade, and Saudi officials described the Encelia strike as illegal.

US Central Command said overnight that American forces hit Iranian military targets, including maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage sites, and air defense assets. “The strikes further degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels,” Centcom said in a statement.

Centcom said US forces have struck dozens of Iranian military sites on land this month while also resuming a sea blockade against Iran. As of Thursday evening, it said US forces had redirected nine commercial vessels and disabled one vessel to stop ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports.

Trump signals infrastructure retaliation

President Donald Trump said Wednesday on Truth Social that the United States would destroy one Iranian bridge or power plant each time Iran attacked a ship in the Strait of Hormuz with a missile, rocket, drone or other weapon.

Iran responded that it would retaliate against those strikes by targeting US-linked infrastructure and energy assets in the region, according to CNBC.

Energy markets reflected the added geopolitical risk. Brent crude futures for September delivery were up 2.1% at $96.08 a barrel Thursday morning, while September West Texas Intermediate futures rose 1.5% to $88.06, CNBC reported.

This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.