Key facts
- Two oil tankers carrying Saudi crude reversed course in the Red Sea due to threats from Yemen's Houthis.
- The Houthis announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, opening a new front in the conflict.
- The U.S. military continued bombing targets across Iran for the 11th consecutive night.
- A tanker was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, forcing its crew to abandon ship.
- Explosions were reported in multiple Iranian cities, including near its only nuclear power plant.
Two oil tankers carrying Saudi crude oil reversed course in the Red Sea on Tuesday after threats from Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis, as a widening Middle East conflict disrupted shipping through critical energy chokepoints. The U.S. military stated late Tuesday it was bombing targets across Iran for an 11th consecutive night, with Tehran residents reporting explosions and activated air defenses.
Explosions were also reported in the Iranian coastal cities of Chabahar and Konarak, and in Bushehr, home to the country's sole nuclear power plant. Earlier, Iran claimed to have targeted U.S. military sites in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, and a tanker was hit in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Houthis, who control significant parts of Yemen including the Red Sea coast, announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia on Monday, potentially opening a new front in the conflict that began on February 28 with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. The Houthis threatened to attack any ships loading or discharging Saudi oil.
U.S. President Donald Trump commented that the Bab el-Mandeb strait had not yet been shut, but threatened action if it were. He also confirmed that 18 U.S. service members have been killed in recent Iranian attacks. The conflict has reportedly cost $37.5 billion so far, with a request for an additional $70 billion in supplemental funds.
The two tankers that had loaded Saudi crude at the port of Yanbu made U-turns, heading towards the Suez Canal instead of the Bab el-Mandeb. This disruption comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains largely shut, making the Red Sea a primary alternate route for Saudi oil exports. Oil prices rose more than 2% on Tuesday, with Brent crude above $91 a barrel and U.S. gasoline over $4 a gallon.
U.S. Central Command confirmed strikes on Iranian military command centers, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems. President Trump also renewed threats to attack Iran's nuclear facilities at Natanz. A health ministry official reported 50 civilians killed and 500 wounded in recent U.S. strikes on Iran.
Iran launched renewed attacks across the Gulf, including on desalination facilities, raising concerns for water supplies in dependent countries. Kuwait reported responding to a drone and missile attack. Iran's Revolutionary Guards stated two oil tankers caught fire after explosions while transiting the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz.