Houthi Strikes Drive Oil Prices Near $100, Rubio Blames Iranian Hand
The Middle East conflict escalated on Tuesday, pushing oil prices up to nearly $100 per barrel. The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Houthi strikes targeting energy infrastructure resulted in 73 civilian injuries, including women and children.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the Trump administration was closely monitoring developments and believed some attacks were orchestrated by Iran. 'The Houthis are agents and proxies of the Iranians,' Rubio said. 'I think behind some of this is clearly the Iranian hand.'
Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree warned that their operations would continue until the aggression stopped and the siege was lifted from Yemen.
The price of Brent crude traded close to $100 per barrel following news of damage to Saudi oil facilities and renewed threats of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. The Iranian regime threatened to extend its grip beyond the Strait of Hormuz, with Supreme National Security Council Director Mohsen Rezaei announcing plans for a restricted exclusion zone.
The US Treasury announced new sanctions targeting the Iranian aviation industry as part of 'Operation Economic Outcast,' but Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed them as ineffective.