Houthis Claim Attack on Saudi Tankers Amid Escalating Conflict

The conflict between Iran and the US has escalated with the Houthis claiming an attack on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.

The Iranian-aligned Houthi militants said they struck the Encelia and Layla, causing a fire at the bow of the Encelia. However, the attack on the Layla remains unconfirmed.

A maritime security source confirmed that the Encelia had transmitted a distress call, reporting it had been struck by a missile near the Saudi port of Jizan in the Red Sea late on Wednesday.

The Houthis said their forces carried out the attack as part of a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, threatening to create a second chokepoint on global oil supplies alongside Iran's near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz.