Houthis attack Saudi tankers in Red Sea
Analysis based on 334 articles · First reported Jul 22, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026
Oil prices spiked above $100 per barrel, stoking inflation fears and raising the probability of a United States — Federal Reserve rate hike. Equity markets fell sharply, with the S&P 500 dropping 1% and Asian indices like KOSPI losing over 3%, while bond yields rose to multi-year highs.
On July 23-24, 2026, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis attacked two Saudi oil tankers (Encelia and Layla) in the Red Sea, opening a new front in the US-Iran war. The Houthis declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, threatening the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments. This came as the US launched its 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iran, and Iran retaliated by attacking US assets in Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain. Brent Crude surged above $100 per barrel for the first time since May. President Donald Trump threatened 'major military punishment' against Iran and the Houthis, while Iran vowed an 'eye for an eye' response. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, and the Red Sea disruptions risk cutting off Saudi Arabia's alternative export route via Yanbu. Global markets reacted with falling equities and rising bond yields on inflation fears. Diplomatic efforts by Iraq, Pakistan, and Turkey have shown no progress.
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