Oil Tankers Attacked as Houthi Threat Persists in Red Sea

Dozens of ships continued to navigate the Red Sea this week, but several incidents have heightened concerns about safety. At least three oil tankers were attacked, including a reported strike late on Friday, leading some vessels to make U-turns or reverse course on voyages originally bound for India, China and other destinations.

The attacks come as the Houthi-linked blockade threatens to disrupt global shipping. If the blockade curtails traffic, it could further impact international trade already strained by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The United States and Iran have intensified their engagements in a war now in its fifth month, while the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed.

Saudi Arabia has responded by diverting millions of barrels of oil daily through a pipeline from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea, with most of the oil exiting the region via the Bab al-Mandab Strait near Houthi-controlled territory.