Houthis say they attacked 2 Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea as US carries out 12th night of strikes

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for attacking two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, causing fires on the vessels. This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran over control of the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. In response to regional hostilities, the U.S. military conducted its 12th consecutive night of airstrikes against targets in Iran. President Donald Trump has issued stern warnings, threatening to destroy essential Iranian infrastructure like power plants and bridges in retaliation for attacks on ships. While the U.S. aims to restore secure global shipping, Iran maintains that it has the right to manage maritime traffic within the strait. The conflict has severely impacted the global economy and led both sides to increasingly target civilian infrastructure. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts by various nations to facilitate a ceasefire, there are no immediate signs of a resolution. Regional diplomats expressed growing pessimism regarding the prospect of de-escalating the hostilities. Meanwhile, neighboring countries like Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain have reported intercepting various missiles and drones. The situation remains volatile as both nations continue to dig in on their respective positions.