Attacks on Saudi vessels raise supply disruption risks amid ongoing regional tensions and a blockade imposed last month.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched missile attacks on two Saudi oil tankers, one near the Red Sea port of Yanbu and another in the Gulf of Aden. The group claimed the strikes targeted the eighth and ninth Saudi tankers since a blockade began last month, escalating maritime security concerns in key shipping lanes.
Earlier, the UK Maritime Trade Operations reported an incident southeast of Aden, though it remains unclear if it was linked to the Houthi attacks. No immediate confirmation of damage or disruptions to oil flows was provided, but the incidents highlight heightened risks in critical waterways.
Oil markets showed a muted reaction, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) down 0.20% at $74.22 amid broader risk-off sentiment. Analysts warn further attacks could tighten supply dynamics, particularly if insurance costs or shipping delays rise.