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🇮🇱 Israel /Conflict & Security

Houthis strike Saudi oil tankers in Red Sea, threatening new oil chokepoint

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The Houthi movement in Yemen claimed responsibility for missile and drone strikes on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.
  • The attacks threaten to create a second major chokepoint for global oil supplies, alongside Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz.
  • The US military continued its strikes on Iran, while Saudi Arabia confirmed one tanker was hit, causing a fire.

The Houthi movement, based in Yemen, announced on Thursday that it attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, escalating tensions and potentially creating a second critical chokepoint for global oil supplies. This move mirrors Iran's near-blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about international shipping and oil prices. The attacks occurred as the US military continued a twelfth successive night of strikes on Iran, directed by President Donald Trump.

The Houthis said their forces carried out missile and drone strikes on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, identifying them as the Encelia and the Layla.

— Houthi MovementThe Houthi movement claimed responsibility for the attacks on the Saudi oil tankers.

The militants, who control territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, stated they were imposing a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. Analysts suggest this could be a strategic maneuver by Iran to gain leverage. The threat to Red Sea shipping has already caused several tankers to alter course, with some loaded with Saudi oil making U-turns to avoid the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The Encelia was struck, causing a fire at the bow. The attack on the Layla remained unconfirmed.

— Saudi State News Agency SPASPA reported on the damage sustained by one of the Saudi oil tankers.

Saudi state news agency SPA reported that the tanker Encelia was struck, resulting in a fire at its bow. While the attack on the second tanker, Layla, remained unconfirmed by Saudi authorities, a maritime security source indicated the Encelia transmitted a distress call after being hit by a missile near the Saudi port of Jizan. Millions of barrels of Saudi oil are rerouted through the kingdom's Red Sea port of Yanbu to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Disruption in the Red Sea could force shipments through the Suez Canal, significantly increasing transit time and costs.

Encelia had transmitted a distress call, reporting it had been struck by a missile near the Saudi port of Jizan in the Red Sea late on Wednesday.

— Maritime Security SourceA maritime security source provided details about the distress call from the struck tanker.

The potential Houthi naval blockade against Saudi Arabia could broaden the conflict in Yemen and strain US military resources, according to current and former US officials. Two Chinese very large crude carriers, collectively transporting 4 million barrels of Saudi Arabian oil, were reportedly heading toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. President Trump has vowed to retaliate against Iranian infrastructure for any attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran has warned of a response to threats against its infrastructure.

Trump vowed on Wednesday to destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant every time Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

— President TrumpPresident Trump issued a threat of retaliation against Iran for attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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