CAIRO, July 23 – The conflict surrounding Iran expanded into another critical maritime corridor on Thursday after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement claimed responsibility for attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. The reported strikes have intensified concerns that the ongoing confrontation could spread beyond the Strait of Hormuz and disrupt another of the world’s most important shipping routes.
The latest escalation comes as global energy markets remain under severe pressure following weeks of military exchanges between the United States and Iran. Oil prices climbed sharply after reports of the tanker attacks, while governments across the Middle East continued diplomatic efforts to prevent the conflict from expanding into a broader regional war. At the same time, Washington and Tehran exchanged fresh threats, signaling that neither side is prepared to back down.
Houthi Attacks Add New Pressure on Global Energy Routes
The Houthi movement announced through its SABA news agency that it had targeted the Saudi oil tankers Encelia and Layla while they were sailing through the Red Sea. According to the group, both vessels caught fire following the strikes. There were no immediate reports of injuries or fatalities among the crews.
Saudi Arabia acknowledged that one of the tankers had come under attack. The Saudi Press Agency reported that the Encelia was set ablaze during the overnight incident but did not provide information regarding the second vessel.
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which monitors commercial shipping in the region, said it had received reports that a tanker approximately 130 kilometers southwest of Al Shuqaiq, Saudi Arabia, was struck by what it described as an “unknown projectile.” The agency advised vessels operating nearby to exercise caution while investigations continued.
The incident marked the first publicly reported attack on commercial shipping since the Houthis declared they were imposing a blockade on Saudi-linked vessels passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait earlier this week. The group said the move was retaliation for Saudi Arabia’s continued blockade on Yemen and a recent strike on the international airport in the Houthi-controlled capital of Sanaa.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints. It links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as the southern gateway to the Suez Canal. Roughly 12% of global trade and nearly one-quarter of the world’s container shipping pass through this narrow waterway each year, making it indispensable for trade between Europe and Asia.
The latest attacks have heightened concerns that international shipping companies may soon face disruptions at both ends of the Middle East’s major energy transport network. With the Strait of Hormuz already affected by the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, security experts fear the Red Sea could become another dangerous flashpoint.
According to maritime intelligence company Lloyd’s List Intelligence, the attacks represent a “double whammy” for global oil transportation. Analysts warned that the security risks now extend beyond the Persian Gulf, threatening Saudi Arabia’s alternative export routes as well.
Saudi Arabia has increasingly relied on its East-West pipeline to transport millions of barrels of crude oil daily from Gulf production fields to Yanbu, a major export terminal on the Red Sea coast. The route has become particularly important as military tensions have complicated shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
However, analysts at Lloyd’s List Intelligence warned during an online briefing that attacks near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait raise fresh questions about the long-term reliability of this alternative export corridor.
The Houthis have previously demonstrated a willingness to target a wide range of commercial vessels. During their campaign against shipping they associated with Israel during the Gaza conflict, numerous ships with little or no direct connection to Israel were also attacked or threatened, causing significant disruptions to international trade and forcing shipping companies to reroute vessels around southern Africa.
Economic concerns intensified almost immediately following Thursday’s developments. Brent crude oil, the global benchmark for petroleum prices, briefly climbed above $100 per barrel after rising more than six percent during trading. The increase reflected investor fears that prolonged disruptions across both strategic waterways could significantly reduce global energy supplies and increase transportation costs worldwide.
Washington and Tehran Exchange Fresh Threats as Regional Tensions Rise
Military operations between the United States and Iran also continued to intensify overnight.
The U.S. military carried out a twelfth consecutive night of strikes inside Iran, targeting locations that American officials said were linked to Tehran’s military capabilities. U.S. Central Command stated that the operations were intended to further weaken Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping and civilian vessels operating throughout regional waters.
President Donald Trump issued a strong warning following the Houthi attacks, saying the United States would hold Iran accountable if similar incidents continue. In a message posted on social media, Trump described the Houthis as an Iranian proxy and warned that any future attacks on commercial shipping would trigger major military retaliation against both the Houthi movement and Iran itself.
Iran, however, rejected American pressure and maintained its position regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has argued that it has the authority to regulate maritime traffic through the strategic waterway and has indicated that new restrictions or transit fees could be imposed. Before the conflict intensified, international shipping through the strait had operated freely without tolls.
The exchange of military action has been accompanied by increasingly confrontational rhetoric.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that Tehran would pursue what he described as an “eye for an eye” response to American strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure. Responding during a visit to the Philippines for a regional summit, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed Iran’s warning, saying President Trump’s policy amounted to “a head for an eye.” Rubio added that the economic cost of the conflict would continue to increase until Iranian leaders reconsidered their actions.
Iranian state media reported that overnight American missile strikes hit areas near Ahvaz, Ramshir and Andimeshk in western Iran. The reports also said two people were killed in Shalamcheh, a town located near the Iraq border.
The conflict has increasingly affected neighboring countries.
Jordan’s military announced that it intercepted three missiles early Thursday, while another landed harmlessly in an unpopulated area. Officials also reported shooting down six drones during the previous night.
In Bahrain, the Interior Ministry said emergency warning sirens were activated and urged residents to remain calm while moving to designated safe locations.
Kuwait’s military reported that drones struck a border crossing with Iraq, causing structural damage but no casualties. Regional observers believe the attack may have been linked to recent U.S. military operations conducted near the Iran-Iraq border.
Diplomatic efforts nevertheless continue behind the scenes. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi traveled to Tehran on Thursday in an attempt to encourage dialogue and reduce tensions. According to his office, he assured Iranian officials that Iraqi territory would not be used as a launching point for attacks against Iran. His visit came only weeks after meeting President Trump in Washington.
Meanwhile, a senior Arab diplomat familiar with regional discussions said Gulf governments have grown increasingly concerned that opportunities for de-escalation are narrowing. Speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of ongoing diplomatic contacts, the official said countries including Pakistan and Turkey continue pressing both sides to return to negotiations before the conflict expands even further.
With violence now threatening both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, governments, shipping companies and energy markets are closely watching whether diplomatic initiatives can prevent another escalation. Any prolonged disruption across these two strategic waterways could have far-reaching consequences for global trade, fuel prices and regional security.