Middle East Conflict Escalates with Houthi Rebels Accusing Saudi-Backed Forces of Airstrikes

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has escalated further after Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen accused Saudi-backed forces of launching dozens of airstrikes across four provinces. The strikes, which occurred overnight, come a day after Houthi attacks on several oil facilities and utilities in Saudi Arabia left 73 people wounded.

The U.S. Central Command denied that American warships were hit in an Iranian attack, saying all attempted attacks failed. However, the Iranian state media claimed that Iranian forces struck eight oil tankers and two U.S. vessels in retaliation for U.S. strikes on five Iranian tankers earlier this week.

The conflict has pushed the price of a barrel of Brent crude oil past $100, with several merchant vessels hit by strikes in the northern Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Center reported that there were strikes involving several merchant vessels but could not confirm whether there were casualties.