Houthis strike two Saudi tankers in Red Sea, signaling a broader regional escalation

The Yemen-based, Iran-backed Houthis claim to have struck two Saudi oil tankers, Encelia and Layla, in the Red Sea, an action tied to their blockade threat and supported by satellite imagery showing Encelia on fire. The incident comes amid wider U.S.-Iran hostilities, with U.S. strikes on Iranian targets and Iranian threats of proportional retaliation, pushing global oil prices toward $98 a barrel. Other developments include Iranian missiles toward Jordan, Oman urging de-escalation, and renewed discussions about a U.S.-Saudi nuclear pact with safeguards, all against the backdrop of dignified transfers for four U.S. service members killed in the conflict.