Saudi Arabia Strikes Houthi Targets; US Disables Tanker in Hormuz Strait

Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes Friday against Houthi targets in the Yemeni port city of Hodeida and on nearby Kamaran Island. The action came after the Iran-backed group announced a maritime blockade and attacked Saudi vessels. Houthi media later claimed responsibility for a missile strike on the Saudi city of Jizan, causing fires, and Saudi authorities issued emergency alerts for the Jizan province.

Separately, in the Gulf of Oman, U.S. forces fired on and disabled a tanker that was attempting to evade the American blockade on Iranian ports. Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, said the crew was warned repeatedly but did not comply, leading to a shot into the engine room. This marks the second commercial ship disabled by the U.S. since it reimposed the blockade earlier this month.

On the diplomatic front, an Omani delegation arrived in Tehran for talks on the Strait of Hormuz. Iran stated it had conducted drone strikes on U.S. military facilities across the Middle East in retaliation for American attacks. At the White House, President Trump said negotiations were ongoing but also warned that the U.S. is "locked and loaded." In June, a memorandum of understanding was agreed to halt operations and reopen the strait, but Trump declared the ceasefire over after Iranian attacks on ships.

Oil prices briefly rose above $100 a barrel this week before dropping to around $96 after two Chinese-chartered supertankers safely passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Houthi officials condemned the Saudi airstrikes as a dangerous escalation. The U.S. and the UK are set to hold a conference in London next week to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Dan Caine attending. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet President Trump at the White House on Tuesday.