Houthi Rebels Attack Saudi Oil Tankers Amid Red Sea Naval Blockade

The Houthi rebels in Yemen announced on Thursday that they attacked two Saudi oil tankers, ENCELA and LAYLA, in the Red Sea, claiming the vessels violated a naval blockade they imposed. The attacks involved ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, and reportedly forced about ten other ships to withdraw from the area. The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported that an unidentified object struck a ship near the Saudi coast by the city of Al-Shuqaiq, with Iranian sources claiming the targeted vessel was a Saudi tanker carrying around half a million barrels of oil hit by a missile launched from Yemen.

The Houthis warned they would continue maritime operations against Saudi Arabia, stating, "Armed forces will persist with naval actions against the Saudi enemy and enforce the principle of 'blockade against blockade.' Any aggression against our country will be met with significant responses inside Saudi territory, with severe consequences."

Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced a new wave of strikes against military targets in Iran, authorized by President Donald Trump, aimed at degrading Iran's ability to threaten civilian and commercial vessels in regional waterways. Concurrently, multiple explosions were reported in southern Iran at locations including Sirik, Bushehr, and Mahshahr, though no official cause has been confirmed.

Tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high, with Trump stating Iran is "not ready for a deal now, but will be soon," while Iranian officials warned that any U.S. attacks on their power infrastructure would prompt Tehran to cut electricity supplies to Gulf countries and disrupt shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. The escalating conflict in the Middle East is increasingly affecting maritime security and regional stability.