Houthi Blockade Threatens Global Energy Supplies as US-Iran Conflict Escalates

Tensions between the US and Iran continue to escalate as the conflict in the Middle East intensifies. The Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran, have announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, threatening to attack any ships that load or discharge Saudi oil.

This development has already led to disruptions in global energy supplies. Two tankers carrying Saudi crude bound for China and India made U-turns in the Red Sea, heading towards the Suez Canal instead of out through the Bab el-Mandeb into the Indian Ocean.

The US military has been bombing targets across Iran for over a week, with Tehran residents reporting hearing explosions on Wednesday. The conflict has resulted in 50 civilian deaths and 500 injuries, according to Iranian health officials.