Yemen’s Houthi rebels have declared the closure of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital shipping artery connecting to the Red Sea. This announcement follows a series of drone and missile strikes the group claims to have launched against two Saudi oil tankers, the Encelia and the Layla, citing a maritime blockade.
Military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that these actions are part of a ‘siege for a siege’ policy. The UK Maritime Trade Operation confirmed that an unidentified projectile hit a Saudi tanker near Al Shuqaiq, resulting in a fire but no injuries. Meanwhile, the US Central Command intensified its military presence, conducting a twelfth night of airstrikes to neutralize threats to commercial vessels.
Tensions have spiked following President Donald Trump’s warning that he would target Iranian infrastructure if shipping in the Strait of Hormuz remained obstructed. Iranian state media reported casualties during US strikes near the Iraqi border. Furthermore, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard claimed to have fully shut down the Strait of Hormuz after explosions involving three tankers. These developments occur as previous diplomatic efforts, including a June ceasefire memorandum, have collapsed, leaving regional oil transit and global fuel prices in a state of significant instability.
