IRIA News

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The Iran conflict expanded into another major maritime chokepoint on July 23, 2026, after Yemen’s Houthi movement attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, threatening global energy supplies and increasing fears of a wider regional war.

The attacks came as the United States carried out a 12th consecutive night of military strikes across Iran while President Donald Trump warned that any future Houthi attacks on commercial shipping would trigger “major military punishment” against both the Houthis and Iran.

The latest escalation has now placed pressure on two of the world’s most important maritime trade routes, the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, raising concerns over global oil supplies, commercial shipping, and regional security.

Houthis Target Saudi Oil Tankers

The Houthis announced they had attacked the Saudi-flagged oil tankers Encelia and Layla using missiles and drones after accusing them of violating the group’s newly announced maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia.

Saudi authorities confirmed that the Encelia was struck while sailing in the Red Sea, causing a fire aboard the vessel. The crew was reported safe, and no casualties were announced. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also reported that an unknown projectile struck a tanker approximately 130 kilometers southwest of Al Shuqaiq on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, resulting in a fire but no injuries.

There has been no independent confirmation of damage to the Layla, although the Houthis claimed both vessels were successfully targeted. The attack marks the first major strike against Saudi shipping since the Houthis announced a maritime embargo on Saudi-linked vessels earlier this week.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group would continue naval operations against Saudi Arabia and maintain what it described as a “siege for a siege” strategy.

Both Global Shipping Chokepoint Under Threat

The attacks significantly increase pressure on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Approximately 12 percent of global trade and nearly one-quarter of worldwide container traffic passes through the narrow waterway before entering Egypt’s Suez Canal.

The latest Houthi operations come while the Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted following Iranian attacks and ongoing U.S. military operations.

Saudi Arabia had shifted millions of barrels of oil exports from Gulf terminals to its Red Sea port of Yanbu using its East-West pipeline to avoid Hormuz. The Houthi attacks now threaten that alternative export route as well.

Maritime intelligence firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence described the situation as a “double whammy” for global oil transportation, warning that attacks in both Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb could severely disrupt international shipping.

Several commercial vessels reportedly changed course after the Houthis announced the blockade, while shipping companies continue monitoring security conditions across both waterways.

Oil Prices Surge Above $100

Energy markets reacted sharply to the deteriorating security situation. Brent crude oil climbed more than six percent on Thursday, rising above $100 per barrel for the first time since May following the collapse of recent ceasefire efforts.

The simultaneous disruption of both major oil transit routes has raised concerns over supply shortages and higher transportation costs.

Experts at IRIA have warned that prolonged attacks on shipping could increase insurance premiums, delay deliveries, and place additional inflationary pressure on the global economy.

United States Intensifies Campaign Against Iran

While the Red Sea attacks unfolded, U.S. forces continued large-scale operations inside Iran for a twelfth straight night. U.S. Central Command said its strikes targeted Iranian maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense systems.

According to the command, the operations are intended to “further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters” while helping restore safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian state media reported strikes near Ahvaz, Ramshir, Andimeshk, Bushehr, and the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iraq. Two people were reported killed during one of the strikes.

The military campaign follows continued confrontations between American and Iranian forces over maritime control in the Persian Gulf.

Trump Warns Iran and the Houthis

President Donald Trump responded forcefully to the Houthi attacks, directly linking the group to Tehran.

“If they do this again, the U.S. will hold Iran responsible, in that the Houthis are a Surrogate and/or Proxy of Iran, and major military punishment will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis themselves,” Trump said.

Earlier this week, Trump also warned that any Iranian attack on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz could result in U.S. strikes against Iranian bridges, power plants, and additional strategic infrastructure.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the administration’s position, saying Iran’s threats would continue carrying increasing costs. “The price will continue to get higher every single night until they come to their senses,” Rubio said while attending a regional summit in the Philippines.

His remarks came after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared Tehran would pursue an “eye for an eye” response to continued American attacks, prompting Rubio to describe Trump’s approach as “a head for an eye.”

Iran Expands Regional Response

Iran has continued responding to U.S. military operations through missile and drone attacks targeting American partners across the Gulf. Jordan announced it intercepted three missiles and several drones overnight, while Bahrain activated air raid sirens and instructed residents to seek shelter.

Kuwait also reported drone attacks near its border with Iraq that caused material damage but no casualties. Iran’s military additionally claimed the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed and alleged that one tanker caught fire after entering what it described as a mined section of the waterway, while two other vessels turned back.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any foreign military bases used to support attacks against Iran, including facilities made available to U.S. forces, could become legitimate military targets. The warning followed reports that U.S. strategic bombers involved in recent strikes operated from bases in the United Kingdom.

Regional Diplomacy to Contain Crisis

Diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation continue but appear increasingly fragile. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi visited Tehran on Thursday, urging dialogue and pledging that Iraqi territory would not be used for attacks against Iran.

Regional officials also indicated that Pakistan and Turkey remain engaged in efforts to encourage de-escalation between Washington and Tehran. Mediator Oman is reportedly attempting to revive negotiations between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis following the latest attacks.

However, regional diplomats acknowledge that prospects for an immediate breakthrough remain limited as military operations continue on multiple fronts.

Political Pressure in Washington

The expanding conflict is also generating political debate inside the United States. Public opinion polls continue to show limited support for the war, and the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved a largely symbolic resolution seeking to halt military operations against Iran.

Although several Republican lawmakers joined Democrats in supporting the measure, it is unlikely to alter the administration’s current military strategy.

The latest Houthi attacks represent one of the most significant escalations since the Iran conflict entered its current phase.

With the Strait of Hormuz already contested and the Bab el-Mandeb now under growing threat, the crisis has expanded beyond a bilateral confrontation into a broader challenge affecting global trade, energy security, and regional stability.

As American airstrikes continue, Iranian retaliation intensifies, and the Houthis widen their maritime campaign, the Middle East now faces the prospect of simultaneous disruptions across two of the world’s most strategically important shipping corridors, significantly increasing the risk of a prolonged regional conflict with global economic consequences.