Houthi forces claimed responsibility on July 23, 2026, for attacking two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea, as the United States launched additional strikes on Iran around the same time.
The targeted vessels were the Encelia and the Layla, the Financial Times reported. Brent crude prices rose after the Houthi claims emerged.
The Houthis are an Iran-backed rebel group based in Yemen. BBC News said the tanker strikes would be the first against Red Sea shipping since the group announced a maritime embargo targeting Saudi Arabia.