Houthi Militants Declare Maritime Blockade Against Saudi Arabia in Red Sea
On July 20-21, 2026, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen declared an immediate maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, threatening to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—a critical chokepoint for global oil trade. The blockade, retaliation for a Saudi-led siege on Yemen and an attack on Sanaa airport, escalates the ongoing U.S.-Iran war. It threatens Saudi oil exports via the Red Sea port of Yanbu, already strained by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Tankers carrying Saudi crude have turned back, and global oil markets face severe supply disruptions.
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Yemen government says Houthis planning to impose fees for Red Sea transit
Yemen's internationally recognized government accused Houthi rebels of planning, under Iranian guidance, to impose fees on ships transiting the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait. Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani stated that 'confirmed intelligence' indicates Iran's Revolutionary Guards are helping design the technical and administrative framework, including a dedicated entity to collect payments from shipping companies. The narrow maritime artery is critical for Saudi crude exports, especially after fighting in the Strait of Hormuz choked off other routes. Last week, the Houthis announced a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia and claimed attacks on Saudi tankers and oil infrastructure. The move is seen as an attempt to copy Iran's playbook in the Strait of Hormuz, potentially disrupting global energy markets.
Houthis Claim Missile Attack on Saudi Oil Tanker in Red Sea
Yemen's Houthis claimed a missile attack on the Saudi-flagged oil tanker NCC GHAZAL in the Red Sea late Tuesday, stating the vessel violated a blockade on Saudi shipments announced last week. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the tanker ignored warning calls and was targeted with ballistic missiles, forcing it to retreat. Maritime intelligence firm Windward reported the tanker had engaged in suspicious behavior, including a 7-day AIS blackout and multiple ship-to-ship transfers, and went dark again on July 23. The attack coincides with heightened regional tensions, as U.S. Central Command reported Iranian ballistic missile strikes on U.S. bases and subsequent U.S.-Saudi precision strikes on logistics sites in Iraq. In response to the Houthi threat, Saudi Arabia is rerouting crude exports via Egypt's Sidi Kerir port using the SUMED pipeline, with multiple empty supertankers en route to pick up Saudi crude, avoiding the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint.
Houthi Attacks on Saudi Oil Installations Disrupt Red Sea Shipping
On July 26, 2026, Houthi forces attacked the Aramco refinery in Jizan and export facilities at Yanbu, both vital Saudi oil installations, using drones and missiles. This followed a Houthi blockade on Saudi Arabia announced on April 20, which has severely choked oil flows and raised crude prices. Marine traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb strait plummeted to just 11 vessels on the day of the attack, down from approximately 350 transits per week before mid-July. China's largest state-owned tanker operators have begun withdrawing very large crude carriers from Red Sea trade, prioritizing safety over commercial gains. The attacks broke a four-year truce and have significantly impacted global shipping routes, including Suez Canal transits which fell from over 250 to around 100 per week.
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Houthi Attacks Cause Sharp Decline in Red Sea Shipping; US and Iran Halt Strikes
Attacks by Yemen's Houthi militia on Saudi oil facilities have caused a dramatic drop in international shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with only 11 commercial ships crossing on Sunday, the lowest in months. The Houthis, allied with Iran, aim to block Saudi exports via the Red Sea as an alternative route after Strait of Hormuz disruptions. They claimed attacks on Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu and shot down a Saudi drone. Meanwhile, the US and Iran have paused military strikes against each other for two nights, with Washington citing dwindling missile stocks and ongoing negotiations. Iran announced it would also cease retaliatory measures but prevented six ships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's upcoming visit to Washington could be decisive for US military strategy.
Read sourceHouthi Attacks on Saudi Oil Facilities Escalate US-Iran Conflict
The Houthi militia in Yemen, backed by Iran, launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities in the Red Sea region, including a refinery, escalating tensions in the broader US-Iran conflict. The attacks were in retaliation for Saudi-led coalition airstrikes on Hodeida. Saudi Arabia responded by striking Houthi targets in Yemen. The escalation disrupted Red Sea shipping and caused Gulf markets to ease. Multiple news outlets, including Al Jazeera, The Washington Post, CNBC, Reuters, and NBC News, reported on the incident, highlighting the widening of the conflict from Yemen to the Red Sea and the involvement of Iran. The attacks mark a significant escalation in the regional proxy war.
Read sourceHouthis fire missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia in response to strikes on Yemeni city
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia on July 25, 2026, targeting Saudi Aramco facilities in the Red Sea cities of Yanbu and Jizan. The attack was in retaliation for Saudi airstrikes on the strategic Yemeni port city of Hodeida, which the Saudi-led coalition said targeted legitimate military threats to Red Sea shipping. The escalation threatens global trade through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital chokepoint for 12% of world trade. Meanwhile, tensions remain high between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, though no new US strikes on Iran were reported overnight. Iran's Foreign Minister called for diplomacy to resolve the Yemen conflict.
Read sourceSaudi ship hit by Houthis had Lloyd's insurance from Gallagher
A Saudi oil tanker attacked by Houthi militants in the Red Sea was insured by Lloyd's of London broker Gallagher, according to sources. The Houthis, an Iran-backed militia, launched missile strikes on two Saudi tankers attempting to bypass a blockade in the Bab al-Mandab strait, causing one vessel to catch fire and return to port. The attack marks a dramatic escalation in the Middle East conflict, as Saudi Arabia is now blocked from exporting oil via both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf due to Iranian and Houthi blockades. Oil prices spiked 16% during the week, with Brent crude reaching $102 a barrel. Gallagher, one of the Big Five marine brokers, did not underwrite the policy and faces no payout, but continues to offer cover for ships transiting the high-risk area. The Suez Canal remains the only route for Iranian oil exports, while Saudi Arabia's pipeline rerouting strategy is now compromised.
Saudi ship hit by Houthis had insurance from Lloyd's broker Gallagher
A Saudi oil tanker attacked by Houthi militants in the Red Sea last week was insured by Lloyd's of London broker Gallagher, according to sources. The Houthis, an Iran-backed militia operating in Yemen, launched missile attacks on two Saudi tankers attempting to bypass a blockade in the Bab al-Mandab strait, causing one vessel to catch fire and return to port. The attack marks a dramatic escalation in the Middle East conflict, as Iran has already blockaded the Strait of Hormuz for five months, preventing Saudi oil exports via the Persian Gulf. The Red Sea blockade now blocks Saudi Arabia's alternative export route via a pipeline to the Red Sea. Oil prices spiked 16% in four days, with Brent crude reaching $102 a barrel. Gallagher, one of the Big Five insurance brokers, did not underwrite the policy and faces no major payout, but continues to offer cover for ships transiting the Red Sea. The Suez Canal remains the only open route for Iranian oil exports.
Houthi Militia Fires Rockets at Saudi Arabia in Red Sea Escalation
On July 25, 2026, the Houthi militia in Yemen, backed by Iran, launched a retaliatory missile attack on Saudi Arabia after a Saudi-led coalition strike destroyed Houthi military positions threatening Red Sea shipping. The Houthis claimed a missile attack sparked fires in the city of Jizan. Greek-operated air defense systems reportedly shot down two ballistic missiles targeting oil refineries in Yanbu. Saudi authorities issued brief warnings for Jizan and Yanbu before giving the all-clear; no damage reports were immediately available. The Houthis had recently imposed a blockade on Saudi ships in the Bab-el-Mandeb strait after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, diverting Saudi oil exports. The attack fuels fears of a broader regional conflict involving Iran.
Read sourceHouthi Militia Fires Rockets at Saudi Arabia in Red Sea Escalation
On July 25, 2026, the Houthi militia in Yemen, backed by Iran, launched a retaliatory missile attack on Saudi Arabia after a Saudi-led coalition strike destroyed Houthi military positions threatening Red Sea shipping. The Houthis claimed a missile hit sparked fires in Jizan, while Greek-operated Patriot air defense systems reportedly shot down two ballistic missiles targeting oil refineries in Yanbu. Saudi civil defense issued brief warnings for both cities before giving the all-clear; no damage reports were immediately available. The attack follows a Houthi blockade on Saudi ships in the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, after Saudi Arabia diverted oil exports from the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation raises fears of a broader conflict involving Iran, as the Houthis vowed the action would 'not go unanswered.'
Read sourceInsurance Giant Gallagher Warns Clients to Avoid Red Sea After Houthi Tanker Attack
Insurance broker Gallagher has advised shipping clients to avoid all Red Sea voyages after a tanker it insured was struck by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militia. The attack, part of a broader escalation, targeted two Saudi tankers attempting to bypass a Houthi blockade in the Bab el-Mandeb strait. One vessel caught fire and returned to port. Gallagher, a Lloyd's of London broker, is part of a syndicate now recommending against Red Sea transits, highlighting fears of a new permanent front in the Middle East conflict. The Houthi actions have effectively blocked Saudi oil exports via the Red Sea, previously a key alternative route after Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices surged up to 16% in four days, with Brent crude briefly hitting $102 per barrel. Analysts warn the disruption could keep Brent above $100, as the Suez Canal becomes Iran's only export route, further straining global energy markets.
Houthi Militia Launches Retaliatory Rocket Attack on Saudi Arabia's Jizan
The pro-Iranian Houthi militia in Yemen launched a retaliatory rocket attack on Saudi Arabia, sparking fires in the city of Jizan on the Red Sea. The attack followed a Saudi-led coalition strike on Houthi positions that the coalition said threatened commercial shipping. The Houthis had previously imposed a blockade on Saudi-flagged ships and attacked two oil tankers, including the 'NCC Masa' and 'Encelia'. Saudi authorities briefly warned residents of Jizan and Yanbu of possible danger but did not officially comment. The escalation has fueled fears of a wider conflict involving Iran, especially after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz forced Saudi Arabia to divert oil exports through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, which the Houthis now threaten.
Read sourceYemen’s Brink: How Houthi Escalation and Iranian Proxies Risk a Regional Conflagration
The Middle East faces a severe escalation as Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen announce a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, attack Saudi oil tankers and Abha International Airport, and receive IRGC commanders and advanced military hardware via a clandestine flight on July 13, 2026. This follows the collapse of a 2022 UN-brokered ceasefire. The Houthi actions are framed as retaliation for a Saudi-led blockade, while Western analysts assess the IRGC deployment aims to enhance Houthi operational capabilities. The crisis threatens global energy markets, worsens Yemen's humanitarian catastrophe, and risks redrawing Arabian Peninsula security architecture amid broader US-Iran tensions.
Yemen's Brink: How Houthi Escalation and Iranian Proxies Risk a Regional Conflagration
The Middle East faces a renewed regional crisis as the fragile peace in Yemen collapses. In mid-July 2026, Iran orchestrated a clandestine flight transporting 10-21 IRGC commanders, military advisers, and advanced missile/drone components to Houthi-controlled Hodeidah. In retaliation for a Saudi-backed attack on Sanaa airport, Houthi forces declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, launched missiles and drones at two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, and targeted Abha International Airport. This escalation, linked to broader US-Iran tensions, threatens global energy markets, worsens the humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen, and risks redrawing Arabian Peninsula security. Mediation efforts have stalled as military posturing intensifies.
Houthi Embargo on Saudi Oil Opens New Front, Expert Calls Them Iran's 'Nuclear Option'
The Houthi militia in Yemen, aligned with Iran, has declared an embargo on Saudi oil shipments through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, opening a new front in the Middle East conflict. An expert from New America describes the Houthis as Iran's 'nuclear option,' capable of holding the global economy hostage via maritime blockade. Reuters reported that on July 13, Iran's IRGC sent a flight to Yemen carrying commanders, missile equipment, and gold to support Houthi operations, though a Houthi spokesman denied the presence of military experts. The developments have driven Brent crude oil above $100 per barrel for the first time in two months, forcing shippers to consider alternative routes around Africa. The U.S. previously conducted strikes against the Houthis in 2025 under Operation Rough Rider.
Read sourceHouthis Become Iran's 'Nuclear Option' with Red Sea Blockade Threatening Global Economy
The Houthi militia in Yemen, aligned with Iran, has declared an embargo on Saudi oil shipments through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, opening a 'new front' in the Middle East conflict according to the Wall Street Journal. An expert from New America described the Houthis as Iran's 'nuclear option,' capable of holding the global economy hostage via maritime blockade. Reuters reported that Iran's IRGC delivered commanders, missile equipment, and gold to Yemen on a July 13 flight to support Houthi operations, though a Houthi spokesman denied the military expert claims. The developments have pushed Brent crude above $100 a barrel for the first time in two months, forcing shippers to consider alternative routes around Africa. The U.S. previously launched Operation Rough Rider against the Houthis in spring 2025.
Read sourceHouthis Become Iran's 'Nuclear Option' with Maritime Blockade Threat, Expert Says
The Houthi militia in Yemen, aligned with Iran, has declared an embargo on Saudi oil shipments through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, opening a 'new front' in the Middle East conflict according to the Wall Street Journal. This move follows Saudi airstrikes on Sana'a airport. An expert from New America describes the Houthis as Iran's 'nuclear option,' capable of holding the global economy hostage via maritime blockade. Reuters reported that on July 13, Iran's IRGC sent commanders, missile equipment, and gold to Yemen to support Houthi operations, though a Houthi spokesman denied the military expert claims. The crisis has driven Brent crude oil above $100 per barrel for the first time in two months, forcing shippers to consider alternative routes around Africa. The U.S. previously conducted strikes against the Houthis in spring 2025 under Operation Rough Rider.
Read sourceTrump Threatens Iran with Military Punishment Over Houthi Tanker Attacks in Bab el-Mandeb
President Trump has threatened to 'punish' Iran for recent Houthi attacks on tankers in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, stating that the U.S. will hold Iran responsible as the Houthis are a proxy of Iran. He warned of 'major military punishment' against both Iran and the Houthis if further attacks occur. Trump also declared that any damages to ships or cargo will be paid for using Iranian money held by the United States. The threats follow Houthi attacks on two Saudi tankers, prompting vessels to seek alternative routes. Two Chinese tankers reportedly passed through the strait unhindered. The Houthis, affiliated with Iran, declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, targeting tankers linked to OPEC's top producer. In response, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that no oil will be sold in the region if Iran's security is not ensured, and that the strait's security requires the absence of American forces.
Will Houthi attacks on Saudi ships hurt India?
On July 23, 2026, Houthi militants in Yemen attacked two Saudi oil tankers (Encelia and Layla) in the Red Sea, part of a declared 'naval blockade' on Saudi Arabia. The strikes threaten the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a vital chokepoint for global oil trade, after the Strait of Hormuz was already disrupted. Oil prices surged above $100 per barrel. The article explains that Iran has flown IRGC commanders and missile equipment to Yemen to support Houthi operations. Saudi Arabia had diverted oil exports from Hormuz to the Yanbu port on the Red Sea, but the Bab el-Mandeb route is now at risk. The alternative route via the Suez Canal and Cape of Good Hope is longer and costlier. The analysis focuses on the implications for India, which relies heavily on Middle Eastern oil imports through these sea lanes.
Read sourceWest Asia war updates: International benchmark oil prices cross $100 per barrel
The Houthi rebels in Yemen attacked two Saudi oil tankers (Encelia and Layla) in the Red Sea, marking their first such strike since announcing a blockade of Saudi-linked shipping via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This escalation, in retaliation for Saudi blockade and airstrikes on Sanaa airport, sent international benchmark Brent crude oil prices above $100 per barrel for the first time since May, a 7% surge. The attack threatens to widen the Iran-U.S. war, as the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, disrupting global energy supplies. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened 'major military punishment' against the Houthis and announced that frozen Iranian assets would be used to compensate for shipping damages. Separately, Trump stunned Saudi Arabia by linking a civilian nuclear deal to the kingdom recognizing Israel, throwing the agreement into turmoil. Hezbollah also condemned Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's U.S. visit as submission to a foreign power.
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