Houthi Rebels Fire Missiles at Saudi City Amid Escalating Conflict

A tense standoff continues in the Middle East as Saudi Arabia and the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels exchange fire, escalating the conflict over the Strait of Hormuz.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for a missile attack on the Saudi city of Jizan on Saturday, following a series of air strikes by Riyadh on Houthi targets in Yemen.

Saudi authorities issued emergency alerts for the province after the attack, which came as the US military disabled a tanker ship attempting to evade its blockade on Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman.

The price of crude oil has been affected by growing concerns over new threats to shipping in the Red Sea from the Houthis, pushing it back over $100 (£74.96) a barrel this week.