Yemen’s Houthi militant group has announced plans to target Saudi oil tankers in the northern Red Sea, marking a potential new phase in its campaign against commercial shipping. The group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, stated that multiple ballistic missiles were launched Wednesday morning near the coastal city of Yanbu, a key port in Saudi Arabia. The attack targeted the Saudi-flagged oil tanker Wafa, which had previously been reported attempting to transit the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital chokepoint in the southern Red Sea. According to the Houthis, the strike occurred amid their broader blockade of Saudi vessels in the region, which they claim has already diverted 29 tankers since last month. The Wafa is among eight Saudi oil tankers the Houthis have reportedly struck since initiating the blockade. It is notable for being one of the furthest from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, suggesting a deliberate expansion of their operational reach. The vessel, a chemical and product tanker constructed in 2014, was last tracked in July as it attempted to pass through the strait. The Houthis control much of southwestern Yemen, which borders the Bab el-Mandeb, giving them strategic leverage over regional shipping lanes. However, no official response has yet come from Saudi maritime or military authorities, and the extent of damage or casualties remains unknown. Earlier in the week, the Houthis also claimed responsibility for striking the Indian-flagged cargo ship Faize Noore Oliya, which sank near the southwestern coast of Yemen. The UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed that all crew members were rescued, though the incident is still under investigation. These strikes underscore the growing threat posed by the Houthis to global trade routes, particularly as the Red Sea has become a crucial alternative to the historically congested Strait of Hormuz. Since late June, Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping, prompting Saudi Arabia to increase reliance on the Red Sea for crude oil exports. The East-West Pipeline operated by Aramco plays a central role in this shift, allowing Saudi crude to bypass the blocked strait. Despite a U.S. naval blockade that has remained in place for nearly a month, the Hormuz remains inaccessible. Meanwhile, Iran is engaged in discussions with Oman, which shares a border with the strait, to establish a framework agreement for managing traffic. Reports suggest the proposed deal could involve dividing transit times between two routes, one passing through Iranian waters and the other near Oman, while also potentially introducing service charges for commercial vessels. U.S. officials have dismissed such fee-based models, emphasizing that any agreement to reopen the strait must exclude financial burdens on shipping companies. The situation has drawn attention from former U.S. defense officials, including Mark Esper, who warned that Iran appears to be gaining confidence through its support of proxy groups like the Houthis. Esper noted that Iran’s actions, including attacks on Saudi infrastructure and threats against U.S. allies, demonstrate a strategy aimed at expanding its influence in the region. He criticized the current administration’s approach, arguing that Iran’s demands, such as the removal of U.S. forces and the reversal of sanctions, are unreasonable and should be rejected outright. As tensions continue to escalate, the Red Sea remains a focal point for global energy security, with the outcome of ongoing negotiations likely to shape the future of maritime trade in the region.
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.
Become a Supporter
United States
