Houthi attacks two Saudi oil tankers in Red Sea
The Houthi movement attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, enforcing a maritime blockade and escalating regional tensions.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen has attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, enforcing a maritime blockade that threatens a vital global shipping route and has pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel for the first time since May.
The attacks, which the Houthis said used ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones, targeted the Saudi-flagged tanker Anselia (also reported as Enselia) and a second vessel named Leila. The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre confirmed one tanker was set on fire. All crew on the Anselia are reported safe. The second attack on the Leila has not been independently verified.
The strikes follow the Houthis' announcement on Monday of a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia. The Bab el-Mandeb strait, at the southern end of the Red Sea, is a critical choke point through which about 15% of global seaborne trade and 30% of containerised trade passes. The Houthi action has effectively opened a new front in the wider conflict between the United States and Iran, which has already seen 13 consecutive nights of US airstrikes on Iranian military targets.
President Donald Trump responded to the Houthi attacks on social media, warning that if they happen again, the US will hold Iran responsible and inflict major military punishment. The White House has threatened both the Houthis and Iran. Meanwhile, Iran has sustained retaliatory attacks on US allies in the region, including Kuwait and Jordan, and has expanded its threats to include British military bases, specifically RAF Fairford, which it claims is a legitimate target after B-1 bombers flew from there to join US strikes. The UK Ministry of Defence says it stands ready to defend itself.
Saudi Arabia has so far exercised restraint, but its air defences intercepted two ballistic missiles fired from Yemen targeting oil refineries. The Saudi-led coalition has also launched strikes against Houthi military sites inside Yemen. Analysts warn that the conflict could reignite the Yemen civil war, which had been under a fragile ceasefire since 2022.
The economic impact is already being felt. Oil prices surged to $100 a barrel, and petrol and diesel prices in the UK have risen. Experts warn that if the blockade continues, consumers could see price rises within a month. The Strait of Hormuz, another critical waterway, has already been effectively closed by Iranian threats, leaving Saudi Arabia reliant on the Red Sea route from the port of Yanbu. With both straits under threat, Saudi oil exports to Asian markets face severe disruption.
Diplomatic efforts are underway. Omani mediators have reportedly asked the US to pause its strikes to allow room for negotiations, and an Iranian delegation has travelled to Oman. However, no breakthrough has been announced. The situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for further escalation on multiple fronts.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC News | BBC One | GB News | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iran threatened RAF Fairford as a legitimate target after a US B1 bomber flew from there. | ||||
| Houthis attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones; one tanker was hit and caught fire with all crew safe, while the other's status was not independently confirmed. | · | |||
| Oil prices reached $100 a barrel for the first time since May. | · | |||
| The US announced new airstrikes on Iran, the 13th consecutive night of strikes. | · | |||
| Iran attacked US allies in the region, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and northern Iraq. | · | · | ||
| Saudi air defences intercepted two ballistic missiles fired from Yemen targeting oil refineries. | · | · | ||
| The US paused airstrikes on Iran after 13 consecutive nights. | · | · | ||
| A Fox News poll showed support for President Trump's handling of the war at 39% with 61% unfavorable. | · | · | · | |
| An Iranian delegation went to Oman for mediation. | · | · | · | |
| At least 55 people have been killed in Iran since the start of the new US strikes. | · | · | · | |
| Iran attacked a base in Kuwait and an operational tower of the Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. | · | · | · | |
| Iran launched missiles at US assets in Kuwait and Jordan in retaliation. | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
This segment focused heavily on the verification of the Houthi attacks, using BBC Verify's tracking data to confirm the Anselia was hit and veered off course. It also provided detailed analysis of the Bab el-Mandeb's importance and the nervousness among ship owners. The tone was analytical and cautious, emphasising the uncertainty around the second ship and the wider economic implications.
- “This is kind of the moment that we've been waiting for, waiting to see if the Houthi's capacity and will to enforce the blockade they announced on Monday against Saudi Arabian ports, whether that would come through.”
- “We were able to see as it slowly veered off course and came to a halt. We understand that's when it was hit.”
- “Consumers can expect to see price rises in maybe about a month.”
This channel's coverage (multiple segments) emphasised the widening of the conflict, linking the Houthi attacks to the broader US-Iran war and the threat to UK bases. It featured analysis from Jeremy Bowen, who argued the US campaign has become a strategic defeat, and interviews with analysts discussing the Houthis as a lever for Iran. The tone was more critical of US strategy and highlighted the risk of a protracted new front.
- “If Bab al-Mandab, as well as the Strait of Hormuz, is blocked, the Saudis will have no direct routes to their huge markets in Asia.”
- “The Houthis look to be ending a four-year truce with Saudi Arabia.”
- “The pause was actually primarily caused by the delegation, the Iranian delegation, that went to Oman.”
Sky News focused on the domestic political and economic fallout for the US and UK, including President Trump's low approval ratings and the impact on UK fuel prices. It also featured military analyst Professor Michael Clarke, who argued Iran is setting the agenda and that more bombing won't change the strategic balance. The tone was more direct and concerned about escalation, with a clear emphasis on the 'quagmire' for the US.
- “This was the President who told the American people there would be no more foreign wars. But this week they have watched the dignified transfer of the remains of another four US service personnel.”
- “The Americans can keep doing this. This is the 13th successive day. It doesn't change the fundamental balance, which is that the Iranians can keep the Strait of Hormuz dangerous.”
- “More bombing won't make a difference to the fundamental balance between Iran and the United States, which the Iranians are in control of at the moment.”
This local BBC bulletin provided a concise update, focusing on the economic impact on UK households (petrol, diesel, mortgage costs) and the wider escalation. It included a business correspondent explaining the link between the conflict and rising inflation. The tone was straightforward and aimed at a domestic audience, with less emphasis on military analysis.
- “Yesterday the price for a barrel of crude rose to about $100 for the first time since May. Six percent jump on the day.”
- “petrols now just over five pence higher than it was at the start of the month.”
- “the longer this conflict goes on the more chance everyday prices are going to keep rising.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.