US Strikes Iran After Houthi Rebels Attack Saudi Oil Tankers

The conflict in the Middle East has escalated as Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, potentially widening the war. The U.S. military responded with its 13th night of strikes against Iran, aiming to 'further degrade Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters.'

According to the Houthis' SABA news agency, the rebels struck two tankers, the Encelia and the Layla, causing fires on both. There were no reports of casualties.

The attack is a 'double whammy' on oil shipments, as it puts at risk oil shipments from Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port on the Red Sea and presents a challenge to the viability of this route, said maritime data and analysis firm Lloyd's List Intelligence.

As tensions rise, the price of Brent crude oil spiked more than 6% Thursday, reaching about $100 a barrel. This is the highest level since May, before the two sides reached a preliminary peace agreement that has since collapsed.