Houthi Attacks in the Red Sea Push Oil Above 100 Dollars; US-Iran Tension is Escalating

In the Red Sea, attacks by Yemeni Houthis on Saudi tankers caused a sharp rise in oil prices, pushing a barrel of North Sea Brent oil above 100 dollars. US President Donald Trump stated that the Houthis are an Iranian ally and warned that heavy military retaliation would be directed against Iran if the attacks continue.

In parallel, while military mobility increases across the Middle East, the armies of Jordan and Kuwait announced that they have neutralized Iranian missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that within the scope of the naval blockade restarted 9 days ago, it redirected 12 commercial ships and stopped one ship. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reacted harshly, describing the US plan to seize Iranian assets as an 'inflammatory precedent'.

The United Nations (UN) drew attention to the increasingly deepening humanitarian crisis in the region, along with the risk of closure in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb strait. The UN spokesperson stated that the increasing conflicts could further disrupt maritime trade, flights, and supply chains, inviting all parties to comply with international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians.