Houthis claim Red Sea tanker attacks as US strikes Houthi targets for 12th night

Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for attacking two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, as the United States conducted its 12th consecutive night of strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. The attacks mark an escalation in the ongoing conflict that has disrupted maritime traffic in key waterways.

In a statement, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group targeted the tankers Encelia and Layla with drones and missiles, alleging they violated a naval blockade imposed by the Houthis. Saree vowed to continue naval operations, enforcing what he called a 'siege for a siege' equation. Neither the Houthis' responsibility for the attack on the Layla nor the incident itself has been independently confirmed.

The Saudi Press Agency, citing an unnamed official from the Transport General Authority, confirmed early on Thursday that the Encelia was struck while sailing in the Red Sea, resulting in a fire on its bow. All crew members were safe, the agency reported, describing the attack as a violation of international law.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that an 'unknown projectile' struck a Saudi tanker approximately 130 km from Al Shuqaiq, Saudi Arabia, at 20:00 GMT on Wednesday. The attack caused a fire but no casualties, according to UKMTO. British maritime risk management group Vanguard also reported that the Encelia was hit.

Meanwhile, the US Central Command (Centcom) announced at 21:30 GMT that it had launched strikes at the direction of President Donald Trump. Centcom stated the strikes targeted 'Iranian military targets including maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense assets' in Yemen, aiming to degrade Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels in the region.

Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain reported responding to airborne threats, and Iran's military claimed to have targeted US assets in all three countries, according to Agence France-Presse. Iranian state media reported two people had been killed in US strikes on the country's south near its border with Iraq, though this could not be independently verified.

Earlier, Iranian state media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had closed the Strait of Hormuz after an explosion in the channel. The IRGC said it stopped three oil tankers from passing through the strait, with one catching fire and two turning back after attempting to pass through a mined route south of the strait. These claims remain unverified.

President Trump had earlier threatened to destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant if Iran attacked a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, and said he would 'take care of' the Houthis if they blocked the Red Sea. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned of an 'eye for an eye' response to attacks on Iran.

The Houthis announced a 'maritime embargo' against Saudi Arabia on Monday, though few details were provided. A media official said the group was closing the Bab al-Mandab Strait to Saudi vessels. The conflict continues to threaten shipping in one of the world's most important maritime corridors.