US Threatens 'Major Military Punishment' After Houthi Attacks on Saudi Oil Tankers

US President Donald Trump promised “major ⁠military punishment” for Iran and its Houthi allies on Thursday after the Yemeni fighters struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, extending the Middle East war to a second major shipping chokepoint.

Fears that disruption could widen further to block another sea route sent global oil prices surging in one of the steepest rises of the war. Brent crude rose more than 6 per cent, breaking through US$100 a barrel for the first time since May.

Two weeks since the effective collapse of an interim truce meant to end the war, the US military launched air strikes on Iran overnight into Thursday, prompting Iran to fire at neighbouring Arab countries that host ‌US bases.

The US military fired another round of missiles at Iran late Thursday and early Friday in the 13th consecutive night of attacks. Iranian state media said on both nights that missiles struck Qeshm Island on the Strait of Hormuz, the virtually closed waterway that has become the focal point in a war well into its fifth month that has already killed thousands and raised fears of a global economic downturn.

After the Houthis said they had struck the two tankers on Thursday, Trump said he would hold Iran accountable for any further attacks by the fighters.

The Houthis, who control northern and western Yemen, said this week they were imposing a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, which has diverted millions of barrels of oil per day by pipeline to the Red Sea to get around Iran’s blockade of Gulf oil through the Strait of Hormuz.