Houthis claim attack on oil tankers as US launches more strikes on Iran

July 23, 2026

Yemen's Houthi rebels have reportedly attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea using drones and missiles, marking the first such assault since announcing a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia. The incidents occurred as the United States conducted its twelfth consecutive night of airstrikes against Iranian military installations, resulting in two reported deaths and prompting Iran to claim closure of the Strait of Hormuz after mining activities caused a tanker fire. President Trump had previously threatened severe retaliation against both Iran and the Houthis if they disrupted shipping in these critical waterways.

Who is affected

Crew members aboard the Saudi tankers Encelia and Layla
Two people killed in US strikes on southern Iran
Saudi Arabia and its oil shipping operations
Iranian military personnel and facilities targeted by US strikes
Civilian mariners and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz
Yemen's Houthi forces
Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain (responding to airborne threats)
International shipping companies (at least seven oil tankers have made U-turns near Yemen)
Global consumers impacted by fluctuating fuel prices

What action is being taken

The US is conducting consecutive nightly strikes on Iranian military targets including maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense assets
The Houthis are enforcing a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, targeting ships with drones and missiles
Iran's IRGC is blocking passage through the Strait of Hormuz, having stopped three oil tankers
Iranian forces are reportedly mining routes in the Strait of Hormuz
Multiple oil tankers are making U-turns and retreating from the affected areas

Why it matters

This escalation threatens two of the world's most critical oil shipping chokepoints simultaneously—the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait—creating severe risks to global energy supplies. The disruption has already caused significant fluctuations in global fuel prices and forced multiple tankers to turn back, demonstrating the fragility of international oil transportation infrastructure. The breakdown of the June ceasefire agreement and the stalled peace negotiations indicate the conflict is intensifying rather than resolving, with potential consequences for global economic stability and regional security.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC