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Houthi drones and ballistic missiles struck Saudi Aramco facilities Tuesday, wounding 73 people and deepening fears of a wider U.S.-Iran conflict
Brent crude futures climbed 1.67% to $98.61 a barrel Tuesday morning after Iran-aligned Houthi militants launched drone and ballistic missile attacks against Saudi Aramco installations and other energy infrastructure across southern Saudi Arabia, leaving at least 73 people wounded.
Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry said operations at several oil facilities and utilities had been suspended following the strikes, with firefighters working to contain fires at the affected sites. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, in a prerecorded video statement, said the rebels fired dozens of missiles and drones at oil and economic facilities in the cities of Abha, Jazan, Najran, and Khamis Mushait, as well as at a major air base, according to NPR. Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki called the attacks a "serious escalation" and vowed retaliation, according to NPR.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures advanced 2.6% to $93.84 a barrel. Shares of ExxonMobil $XOM and Chevron $CVX each rose in premarket trading.
