Middle East Conflict Escalates Amid Airstrikes and Oil Price Surge
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has escalated further as Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen said Saudi-backed forces had launched dozens of airstrikes overnight across four provinces. The strikes come after rebel attacks on Saudi Arabia ignited fires at several oil facilities and wounded dozens of people.
The U.S. Central Command denied that American warships were hit when Iranian state media claimed Iran's Revolutionary Guard had struck two U.S. Navy warships in retaliation for U.S. strikes on five Iranian tankers on Tuesday. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Center confirmed several merchant vessels were struck, but couldn't confirm casualties.
The price of Brent crude oil rose past $100 as the conflict intensified. Saudi authorities did not immediately comment on the airstrikes in Yemen's provinces of Taiz, Hodeida, Jawf, and Marib.