The rising tension in the Red Sea has threatened to further choke global shipping, because the Houthi rebels have said they would close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Saudi-linked shipping.

Houthi rebels claim missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil tankers Encelia and Layla in the Red Sea following a declared maritime blockade.

The Tehran-backed Houthis said earlier this week they were imposing a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, while the US continued strikes on Iran for the 12th night.