Houthis claim strikes on two Saudi oil tankers in Red Sea
Men stand on a depiction of the US flag and salute during a demonstration by university students to show their support for the Houthi movement amid rising tensions with Saudi Arabia on the Sanaa University campus in Sanaa, the Houthi-held capital of Yemen, on July 22, 2026.
Muhammad Huwais | Afp | Getty Images
Tehran-backed Houthis have claimed responsibility for attacks on two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea, threatening to open a new front in the Middle East conflict as the United States completes its 12th consecutive night of attacks on Iran.
Yemeni Houthis said on Wednesday that they targeted two Saudi Arabian oil tankers, Encelia and Layla, with drones and missiles for allegedly violating the naval blockade.
The attack, if confirmed, would be the first since the militant group declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia.
State-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) approved Encelia was targeted while passing through the Red Sea, resulting in a fire in the ship’s bow. Citing an unnamed official from the General Authority for Transport, the agency said all crew members were safe and described the attack as a violation of international law.
SPA did not provide an update on the Layla tanker.
Separately, United Kingdom Merchant Marine Operations (UKMTO) reported On Wednesday, an “unknown projectile” hit a Saudi Arabian oil tanker about 130 kilometers from the Saudi Arabian coastal town of Al Shuqaiq. UKMTO said the incident resulted in a fire on the ship and no casualties were reported.
US Central Command in question Overnight, American forces completed a new round of strikes against Iran, striking military targets including naval capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, and air defense assets.
“The attacks further weaken Iran’s ability to attack civilian sailors and commercial vessels,” Centcom said in a statement.
He added that US forces have targeted dozens of Iranian military facilities on land this month, while at sea they have resumed the blockade of the Islamic Republic. As of Thursday evening, Centcom said it had diverted nine commercial ships and disabled one to prevent the ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Thursday that Iran is still not ready to make a deal, “at least not willing to abide by it.”
“They’re going to continue to pay a price, and that price gets higher and higher every night,” Rubio said. he said.
Asked for his reaction to the Houthis’ alleged attacks on two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea, Rubio said: “I hope they stop. They really shouldn’t do this. They were used by the Iranians to do this.”
Oil prices last month.
Oil prices rose Thursday morning, extending recent gains as the United States and Iran escalate hostilities.
International benchmark Brent crude futures for September delivery were last traded at $97.46 per barrel, up 3.6%. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate futures for September delivery rose 2.7% to $89.14.
Trump threatened bridges and power plants in Iran
Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank in question In its latest update, it was stated that at least seven ships changed course to avoid passing through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait due to the blockade imposed by the Houthis on Saudi Arabian ports. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a chokepoint for commercial ship traffic connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and global markets.
The ISW said the United States is increasingly striking Iranian targets outside southern Iran, including western and northwestern Iran.
On July 22, 2026, as daily life continues in the shadow of increasing military tension between the USA and Iran in Tehran, Iran, while air defense systems are activated throughout the night, a woman passes by war-themed graffiti and murals painted on the streets and avenues of the capital Tehran.
Fateme Bahrami | Anatolia | Getty Images
President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will destroy a bridge or power plant in Iran every time Iran attacks a ship in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, signaling a further deterioration in the interim peace deal both sides signed last month.
“From this point forward, whenever the Islamic Republic of Iran opens fire on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz with a Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy a BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT,” Trump said in a statement on Wednesday. he said. Real Social post.
In response, Iran said it would retaliate with attacks on US-linked infrastructure and energy assets in the region.
