Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea on Thursday, actions that have intensified tensions in the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and their regional allies. The strikes have heightened concerns over the security of crucial maritime trade routes and have coincided with global oil prices surpassing $100 a barrel for the first time since May.

The vessels targeted, identified by the Houthis as the Encelia and the Layla, were reported to have caught fire during the attacks. Saudi state media confirmed a fire aboard the Encelia but noted that all crew members remained unharmed. The attacks occurred near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital shipping chokepoint that links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and handles significant global maritime traffic, including approximately 7% of the world’s oil supply.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center, part of the Royal Navy, reported a tanker struck by an “unknown projectile” roughly 80 miles southwest of Al Shuqaiq, Saudi Arabia, causing a fire onboard. While the attack on the Encelia is corroborated by multiple sources, the reported strike on the Layla has yet to be independently confirmed.

This escalation follows recent U.S. military actions targeting Iran, as American forces conducted their 13th consecutive night of strikes aimed at diminishing Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the region. These operations are centered on controlling the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil and gas passed during peacetime. Iran has responded with attacks on ships and installations in the Strait, leading to a de facto shutdown of the route.

President Donald Trump issued a stern warning on social media, threatening “major military punishment” against both Iran and the Houthis if attacks on shipping continue. He emphasized that the U.S. holds Iran responsible for the actions of the Houthis, describing the group as a proxy for Tehran. U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have expressed concern that the Houthis’ increased involvement risks further destabilizing the region and complicating diplomatic efforts.

Regional reactions underscore the precariousness of the situation. Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who maintains ties with both Iran and the United States, visited Tehran on Thursday to advocate for peace and dialogue, assuring that Iraqi territory would not be used against Iran. Meanwhile, Gulf states reportedly express growing pessimism about resolving the crisis as the Houthis have also threatened a naval blockade of Saudi shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, aiming to pressure Saudi Arabia amid the ongoing conflict in Yemen.

The disruptions have caused a notable surge in oil prices, with Brent crude rising more than 7% to settle above $100 per barrel. Analysts warn that simultaneous blockades in both the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea could severely impact global oil supplies, particularly for Asian importers heavily reliant on Middle Eastern crude.

Amid escalating hostilities, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned the international community about the risk of the conflict expanding further, calling for diplomacy as the only path to de-escalation. Efforts by countries such as Pakistan to mediate an end to the hostilities have received renewed emphasis at the United Nations.

The unfolding situation presents complex challenges, as the conflict not only threatens vital energy corridors but also risks drawing more regional actors into a broader confrontation, with significant economic and geopolitical implications worldwide.