Overview
- The US military carried out a twelfth consecutive night of strikes on Iranian military sites, a campaign CENTCOM says aims to weaken Iran’s ability to threaten civilian seafarers and merchant ships.
- The Huthi militia announced a Seeblockade against Saudi shipping and said it attacked two Saudi oil tankers, while the UKMTO reported a tanker hit by an unknown projectile that caused a fire aboard.
- Warnings from the Huthis and reported attacks have prompted multiple vessels to change course and reduced transits through the Bab al‑Mandab corridor, forcing some operators to reroute around Africa or shift to alternative Saudi ports such as Yanbu.
- Political escalation is growing as President Trump threatened to strike Iranian bridges or power plants if Iran fires on ships, Saudi Arabia vowed to protect its vessels under international law, and Pakistan stated it reserves the right to use force to protect its interests.
- The twin disruptions of the Strait of Hormuz and a potential effective blockade at Bab al‑Mandab are pushing oil prices higher, straining shipping schedules, and increasing the risk of broader regional spillover that could further harm civilians and trade.