Two Saudi oil tankers were attacked in the Red Sea on Thursday, an incident that intensified regional tensions and contributed to a rise in global oil prices. The attacks occurred amid an ongoing conflict involving Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have been targeting shipping routes critical to Saudi Arabia’s oil exports.

Saudi Arabia has redirected much of its oil shipments to Red Sea ports and through the Bab al Mandab Strait, as the traditional route through the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted by Iranian threats. Currently, nearly 4.5 million barrels of oil daily transit this alternative pathway. The recent assaults on Saudi tankers underscore the growing volatility in the region’s maritime corridors.

Houthis’ military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the strikes, describing them as a “qualitative military operation” involving missiles and drones. Saree accused Saudi Arabia of enforcing a blockade on the Red Sea, particularly targeting northwestern Yemen where the Houthis control major population centers. He also cited a recent Saudi attack on the airport in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital controlled by the Houthis, that disrupted the arrival of a delegation returning from the funeral of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was reported killed earlier in the conflict.

Saree stated that the Houthis had forced ten other vessels to turn back and vowed to continue their naval operations against Saudi Arabia, maintaining a policy of “blockade against blockade.” The escalation illustrates the expanding scope of the Yemen conflict, which has created new challenges for international shipping and added to the complexities of regional security.

In response, former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a social media statement holding Iran responsible for the attacks, emphasizing that the Houthis act as Iranian proxies. Trump warned of “major military punishment” against both the militants and Iran if the attacks persist. At a later event, he reiterated U.S. hostility toward Iran, accusing the government of harboring “evil intentions.”

U.S. lawmakers expressed concern over the war’s expansion into the Red Sea. Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen questioned claims of U.S. victory in the conflict, highlighting ongoing violence and economic repercussions, including rising oil and gas prices affecting American families. He and other Democrats have sought congressional action to limit the administration’s military campaign.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has announced a deal to assist Saudi Arabia in developing a civilian nuclear program—a move met with caution amid fears of increased nuclear proliferation in the Middle East. The agreement stipulates that Saudi Arabia must normalize diplomatic relations with Israel as a condition for its implementation. White House officials indicated that failure to meet this requirement could nullify the deal.

The conflict in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthis seized control of Sanaa and large parts of the country’s northwest, prompting a Saudi-led military campaign aimed at restoring the recognized government. Although a stalemate has persisted since 2022, tensions have escalated recently, partly due to shifts in strategic importance from the Strait of Hormuz to the Bab al Mandab Strait, a critical chokepoint for maritime traffic.

Analysts, including Mohammed al-Basha of the Basha Report, argue that the Houthis are leveraging the current geopolitical environment to amplify their influence, viewing this period as an opportunity to impose their demands through increased military pressure.

The hostilities have already exacted a heavy toll. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reported that the conflict has cost the United States $37.5 billion to date. Despite opposition from many Democrats, the House approved a $1.15 trillion defense bill to continue funding the war, though the measure faces significant challenges in the Senate.

President Trump has sought to downplay declining public support for the war, asserting that Americans are concerned about fuel prices but not opposed to the ongoing military effort. The conflict’s trajectory remains uncertain as regional and international actors continue to respond to the evolving security situation in the Red Sea corridor.