Some analysts view it as a tactical move by Iran to seek leverage in any diplomatic efforts to end the war
CAIRO, Egypt – The Iranian-aligned Houthis on Thursday, July 23, claimed military strikes on two Saudi oil tankers as part of a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, further raising the risk of a second chokehold on world oil supplies at the Red Sea in coordination with Iran’s attempt to control the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, the US military said on Wednesday, July 22, it launched a new round of strikes on Iran at President Donald Trump’s direction, marking a 12th successive night of American attacks.
The Yemen-based militants, who control areas near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on the opposite end of the Arabian Peninsula from the Strait of Hormuz, said on Monday, July 20, they were imposing a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in what some analysts have viewed as a tactical move by Iran to seek leverage in any diplomatic efforts to end the war.
Even before the renewed threats to shipping traffic in the Red Sea, Iran’s near-total blockade of the Strait of Hormuz had stoked inflation around the world, pushing up oil prices and squeezing US gasoline consumers at a time when the unpopular war has put Trump’s Republican allies under pressure ahead of congressional elections in November.
