US Continues Strikes on Iran as Houthi Rebels Attack Two Saudi Oil Tankers

The military confrontation between the United States and Iran has reached a new stage of escalation. On the night of July 23, 2026, US forces carried out their twelfth consecutive night of strikes against targets inside Iran, acting under orders from President Donald Trump. According to Iranian state media, one strike hit the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iraq, killing at least two people and wounding eleven others.

At the same time, tensions sharply increased in the Red Sea. Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels announced they had attacked two Saudi Arabian oil tankers. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree identified the vessels as the Encelia and the Layla, saying the ships had violated a naval blockade the group had imposed on Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia's state news agency SPA confirmed, citing an official source at the General Transport Authority, that an attack had caused a fire at the bow of the Encelia. All crew members were reported safe. SPA did not identify who was responsible for the attack, even as the Houthis publicly claimed responsibility for both vessels.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency additionally reported that a tanker had been struck by an unknown projectile, triggering a fire. According to Middle East Eye, authorities were taking measures to secure the vessel and crew and to protect the marine environment.

The events point to a possible expansion of the conflict into a second maritime front. Analysts and multiple news agencies, including Reuters, have warned that the attacks on Saudi tankers could create an additional strategic chokepoint for global oil trade, compounding the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz caused by Iranian actions. If Saudi oil shipments cannot safely pass through the southern Red Sea route, the only alternative would be the longer northern route through the Suez Canal, adding weeks to transit times and significantly raising costs.

In parallel with the military developments in the Middle East, the US House of Representatives passed a defense spending bill on the same day. Several outlets noted the timing of this domestic political decision alongside the ongoing military campaign, though no direct causal link was established.

The precise circumstances and responsibility for the attacks on both tankers remain partly unclear. While the Houthis claimed responsibility for both ships, Saudi Arabia officially confirmed only the incident involving the Encelia and did not identify the attacker. No independently verified information about the condition or location of the second tanker, the Layla, has emerged so far.

The international community is watching developments with growing concern. The combination of ongoing US strikes on Iranian territory, Iranian retaliation, and now Houthi attacks on Saudi shipping raises fears of a broader regional escalation. The potential impact on global energy markets and supply chains could be substantial if the blockade situation in the Red Sea worsens further. How the situation develops in the coming days remains uncertain, as does whether it leads to diplomatic de-escalation or further military intensification.