Saudi Arabia and Houthis exchange fire as US attacks tanker in Hormuz Strait

Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi rebels exchanged fire, with the Houthis accusing Saudi Arabia of targeting civilian facilities. This comes amid ongoing US-Iran tensions, with Iran claiming drone strikes on US military sites in retaliation for American attacks. President Trump stated negotiations with Iran are continuing but also threatened further military action, describing the US as "locked and loaded." Separately, the US military disabled a tanker attempting to evade its blockade on Iranian ports. Concerns over Houthi threats to Red Sea shipping had previously pushed oil prices up, but they dropped after two Chinese-chartered supertankers successfully passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The US conducted strikes across Iran, reaching the Caspian Sea, in response to Iranian-backed Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. President Trump warned Tehran and the Houthis of "major military punishment" for extending the conflict to this key shipping route. Iran retaliated with drone and missile fire against US bases and allies in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. Reports of Iran rejecting a US ceasefire proposal, delivered via Iraq's prime minister, were disputed by Iraq. The Houthis continued their naval blockade, impacting oil prices and shipping insurance. Iran stated its commitment to preserving its interests in the Strait of Hormuz, indicating fundamental disagreements with the US approach to regional peace.

The Iranian-aligned Houthis claimed responsibility on Thursday for strikes on two Saudi oil tankers, asserting a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. This action, occurring near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, raises concerns about a potential second chokehold on global oil supplies, potentially in coordination with Iran's efforts regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The Houthis stated their blockade began on Monday. Concurrently, the US military reported launching a new round of strikes on Iran on Wednesday, directed by President Donald Trump, marking the twelfth consecutive night of American attacks. Analysts suggest the Houthi blockade could be a strategic move by Iran to gain leverage in diplomatic efforts to end the war.

Tankers are making sharp U-turns after Houthi threats to shipping in the Red Sea. Ship-tracking data indicates that approximately four million barrels of oil per day have been shipped from Yanbu recently, a significant increase from the previous year. If the Bab al-Mandab Strait is effectively closed, Saudi Arabia's only alternative for reaching Asia would be to reroute oil shipments through the Mediterranean and around the southern tip of Africa. While the immediate impact on consumers may not be felt, the global energy system is becoming more vulnerable to shocks, potentially leading to higher freight and energy prices. At least 50 vessels in the region are broadcasting messages indicating they have armed guards on board, a practice adopted since Houthi attacks during the war in Gaza. Captains fear misinterpretations by the Houthis could lead to attacks on large crude oil carriers, with potentially catastrophic consequences.

Yemen's Houthi rebels have declared a blockade of Saudi Arabia, aiming to disrupt shipping through the vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This action, a retaliation for Saudi Arabia's blockade on Yemen and a recent airport attack, could escalate the Iran war and further impact global trade and oil supplies. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a critical chokepoint for approximately 12% of global trade. While the Houthis claim to have rerouted ships, independent confirmation is lacking. The rebels have planned for months to disrupt shipping using naval mines, drones, and other methods. This threat could lead to increased shipping risks and costs, potentially impacting Saudi oil exports which have become more reliant on this route due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The Houthis' actions also risk reigniting the civil war in Yemen.

Oil prices have surged past $100 per barrel, reaching their highest point since May, following a fifth consecutive day of increases. This rise is attributed to the Houthi group in Yemen claiming responsibility for striking Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea. The attacks, occurring amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, risk further disrupting global oil shipping. The Red Sea, like the Strait of Hormuz, is a crucial waterway for transporting crude oil from the Middle East. Analysts suggest that the ongoing conflict and potential disruptions to energy routes could lead to higher inflation and interest rates. A Saudi news agency confirmed that one of the two targeted vessels was ablaze after the assault.

The United States conducted air strikes against Iranian coastal surveillance and air defense facilities on Saturday night, targeting capabilities of Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC). These strikes, the eighth consecutive night of US action, were in retaliation for an IRGC attack that killed two US troops in Jordan. In response, Iran's army stated it launched drone attacks on two US bases in Kuwait. The US aims to degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and punish forces responsible for the Jordan attack. Both nations have escalated attacks in recent days, with accusations of striking critical infrastructure.

The US military launched strikes on Iran for the eighth consecutive night, targeting areas in Hormozgan province, including Sirik and Qeshm Island. US Central Command stated these strikes were in retaliation for an Iranian attack in Jordan that killed two American service members and were designed to degrade Iran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's semi-official news agencies reported the strikes, noting no casualties or damage to civilian infrastructure. In response, Iran's army reportedly targeted two US military bases in Kuwait, hitting an ammunition depot and radar systems. These actions follow weeks of escalating conflict, with both sides reporting casualties and damage to infrastructure.

The United States conducted strikes against Iran for a third consecutive night, targeting military sites in southern Iran including Bushehr and Bandar Abbas, aiming to degrade Iran's capacity to attack shipping. In retaliation, Iran struck UAE-flagged oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one Indian national, and targeted US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait with drones and missiles. Iran also launched missiles and drones at US forces in Jordan, which shot down four missiles fired from Iran. US President Donald Trump stated a deal with Iran is possible despite the renewed fighting and reiterated demands for Gulf nations to fund US protection of shipping. The US blockade on Iran's southern ports and terminals was set to begin.

The US has intensified attacks on Iran, striking targets near Tehran and a ship accused of breaking its blockade. This marks the sixth consecutive day of fighting, threatening a wider war and jeopardizing a recent peace deal. Iran retaliated with missiles and drones targeting US allies in the region, including Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and Iraq. The conflict has centered on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil exports, which Iran has largely closed. Both sides interpret a recent interim deal regarding the strait differently, leading to continued clashes and disruptions to shipping. The escalating tensions have caused oil prices to rise, and Iran has warned of further retaliation if the US interferes.

Overnight, explosions were reported across Iran as the US targeted military infrastructure, including command centers and air defense sites in locations like Bandar Abbas and Greater Tunb Island, according to US Central Command. Iranian state media confirmed explosions and triggered air defenses in Tehran. Simultaneously, Gulf allies reported drone attacks, with Kuwait's military intercepting them and Bahrain's interior ministry advising citizens to seek safety. Iran's military stated it struck US communication systems and fuel storage in Jordan. Tensions are escalating, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining closed. The US recently resumed a blockade on Iranian ports, leading Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps to warn of further disruptions to oil and gas export routes.

President Donald Trump announced that the US will reinstate a naval blockade of Iran and charge a 20 percent toll on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, framing it as reimbursement for providing security. This plan, revealed in a Fox News interview and on Truth Social, is set to begin immediately. However, experts suggest the proposal is an improvised political remark rather than a developed policy, lacking a legal mechanism for enforcement and potentially undermining the US stance on freedom of navigation. Commercial shipping companies will likely adapt to whoever can ensure safe passage, and the added toll would create further uncertainty. The UN's International Maritime Organization has stated that imposing tolls on international straits is against international law.

Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan, have activated air defense systems following renewed Iranian drone and missile attacks targeting U.S. military installations. These attacks, which Iran claims hit specific facilities, occur amidst a fragile memorandum of understanding between Iran and the U.S. aimed at halting a conflict that began in February. The renewed escalation, partly focused on the Strait of Hormuz, highlights a security dilemma for Gulf states: their U.S. military presence makes them targets, yet U.S. protection is crucial against Iranian threats. Gulf nations have invested heavily in layered air defense networks, but the sustained pressure from Iran's cheaper drones raises questions about their ability to withstand prolonged confrontations.

A liquefied natural gas tanker caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after being struck by a projectile off the coast of Oman. The incident occurred early Tuesday and is the latest in a series of attacks on vessels in the critical waterway. Iranian television claimed the tanker ignored warnings but did not directly claim responsibility for the attack. The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported the projectile hit the port side of the vessel as it traveled south out of the strait. Iran has previously suggested that only its approved route through the Strait of Hormuz is safe and has been suspected of attacking ships using other routes. Talks between Iran and the United States regarding a permanent end to the war are reportedly on hold until after the burial of Iran's former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in late February.

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has significantly decreased following recent attacks on vessels. On Wednesday, only 23 tankers and cargo ships transited the waterway, a sharp drop from 47 the previous week. These attacks occurred after a US-Iran deal aimed at reopening the strait, which had seen increased traffic following its signing. The incidents involved ships using a US-recommended route through Omani waters, prompting Iran to reiterate its claim that its own routes are the only safe option. The US responded with strikes on Iranian targets, accusing Iran of violating the truce, while Iran accused the US of breaching the agreement. This latest violence has caused a halt in traffic on the Omani route, with no ships using it on Wednesday.

The US military conducted strikes against Iranian targets early Wednesday following the reported attacks on three merchant ships off Oman. US Central Command stated the strikes were intended to impose costs for targeting civilian commercial shipping in an international waterway, deeming Iran's actions unwarranted and a violation of a ceasefire. The incidents occurred on Tuesday, with three tankers, including a Qatari LNG vessel and a Saudi crude tanker, being struck in the Strait of Hormuz. Maritime authorities raised the threat level to "severe" for vessels in the area. Initial indications from a US official suggested Iran fired at two commercial vessels, though no immediate claim of responsibility was made.

A tanker caught fire after being struck by an "unknown projectile" in the Strait of Hormuz, with reports from US officials suggesting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired missiles at commercial ships. These attacks occurred during ongoing peace negotiations between the United States and Iran, where the Strait of Hormuz is a contentious issue due to Iran's restrictions on shipping. While marine traffic has shown resilience, vague provisions regarding the strait remain a sticking point in the talks. The incidents also follow funeral processions for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes. The exact cause of the tanker incident is unclear, with one analyst suggesting it may have strayed into an area of Iranian mine-clearing operations.