Oil tankers attacked as Iran threatens to turn new trade route into a ‘Gate of Tears’The Iran-backed Houthi militants said Thursday that they had struck two tankers in the Red Sea, risking another bottleneck that could further disrupt global energy supplies, spike prices and heap domestic political pressure on President Donald Trump.Satellite imagery of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.Gallo Images / Copernicus Sentinel Data 2026 via Getty ImagesJuly 23, 2026, 7:07 AM EDTFar from easing the crisis over a key global trade route, Iran has now moved to create another critical chokepoint. The Tehran-backed Houthi militants said Thursday that they had struck two tankers in the Red Sea, risking another bottleneck.Just a moment.We are getting your experience ready.