Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed missile and drone strikes on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea on July 23, 2026, as the US intensified attacks on Iranian military targets, marking the 12th consecutive night of strikes. The escalation followed a Houthi threat to blockade Saudi ports, widening pressure on key shipping routes already destabilized by conflict over the Strait of Hormuz.
The Houthis said they targeted the Encelia and Layla tankers after they violated the blockade,
according to a statement cited by news.rthk.hk. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a tanker was struck near Al Shuqaiq, with a crew fighting a fire caused by an unknown projectile,
as per israelnationalnews.com. US Central Command confirmed strikes on Iranian military targets, aiming to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners,
according to news.rthk.hk.
Houthis Enforce Naval Blockade, Target Saudi Shipping
Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesperson, claimed the group attacked two Saudi oil tankers using missiles and drones after they violated the naval blockade,
while also forcing ten other vessels to turn back, israelnationalnews.com reported. This marks the first major Houthi strike on Saudi oil infrastructure since declaring a maritime embargo on July 21, 2026, as part of a broader “eye for an eye” strategy against Saudi and US actions, news.rthk.hk noted.
US Strikes Iran, Trump Warns of Retaliation
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned of a powerful and decisive response
to any attack on Iranian infrastructure, news.rthk.hk cited. Iran’s state broadcaster quoted the military as saying US threats will have no result other than the expansion of the war,
news.rthk.hk reported. The US has faced political pressure over the conflict, with Hegseth acknowledging the war’s economic toll, news.rthk.hk noted.
Oil Prices Surge, Regional Tensions Escalate
Brent crude briefly topped $95 a barrel on July 23, 2026, its highest in six weeks, as traders reacted to the Red Sea clashes, news.rthk.hk reported. The surge followed a 2022 truce collapse, with the Strait of Hormuz becoming a flashpoint for US-Iran clashes. Kuwaiti air defenses intercepted hostile drones, while Jordan and Bahrain reported missile and drone strikes, news.rthk.hk noted.
The Houthis’ strikes have intensified pressure on global shipping, with Pakistan seeking a significant US backstop to stabilize its reserves, brecorder.com reported. Regional instability has also sparked concerns about oil supply chains, with the US and Iran trading threats over the Strait of Hormuz, news.rthk.hk noted.
Unresolved Tensions and Next Steps
Key unresolved questions include whether the Houthi blockade will persist, how Iran will respond to US strikes, and whether global oil prices will stabilize. The situation underscores the fragile balance in the region, with both sides trading threats over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy route. The next major development could hinge on whether the US or Iran escalates further, with implications for global markets and regional security.
Related reading
