Houthi Strikes Send Brent Crude Soaring to $100

The Houthis launched missile strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu on July 25, 2026. The attacks are a coordinated effort to disrupt Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure and have already had an impact on global markets.

Brent crude surged to $100 per barrel in the immediate aftermath of the strikes, but has since pulled back to stabilize around $89-$90. This price increase is a significant jump, with Brent rising by about 40% over the course of July 2026 alone.

The Houthis have been building up to this attack for weeks, first announcing a naval blockade targeting Saudi shipping on July 20 and then claiming attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea on July 22. This campaign has already had an impact on global supply chains, with major shipping lines forced to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope.

The Houthis have also been linked to cryptocurrency fundraising networks, which they use to finance operations and circumvent sanctions. Bitcoin and XRP both saw price declines following the attacks, suggesting that investors are taking a risk-off approach in response to increased regional volatility.