Houthi Attack on Saudi Oil Tanker, US Threatens to Hold Iran Accountable

[Global Times Special Correspondent Pei Ming, Global Times Correspondent in Egypt Huang Peizhao] On the early morning of the 23rd, the spokesperson for the Houthi armed group, Sareea, announced that the organization used multiple ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones to strike two Saudi oil tankers that violated the organization's maritime embargo, "accurately hitting the targets," resulting in fires on both tankers. According to him, the Houthi armed group has forced "nearly 10 ships to turn back." Sareea warned that any military action by Saudi Arabia against the Houthi armed group would result in large-scale strikes on deep targets within Saudi territory. In response, U.S. President Trump stated on the same day that if the Houthi armed group attacks Saudi ships again, the U.S. would hold Iran accountable and impose "significant military penalties" on Iran and the Houthi armed group.

On the 23rd, Bloomberg reported that this was the first time in recent months that the Houthi armed group claimed responsibility for attacks on commercial vessels, opening a new front in the U.S.-Iran conflict. Previously, the Houthi armed group announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia and warned international shipping companies that vessels trading with Saudi ports could face military strikes. The Saudi government has confirmed that a ship carrying refined oil was attacked. The UK Maritime Trade Operations office reported that the incident occurred about 70 nautical miles southwest of the Saudi coastal town of Shuqaiq. Following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, this situation could "effectively close another maritime chokepoint critical to the energy market," with some vessels already avoiding the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. AFP reported that on the 23rd, Brent crude oil futures surged over 6%, reaching $100 per barrel. Since the 10th, the increase has been about 30%. Analysts suggest that if the situation continues to deteriorate, tankers may be forced to reroute around the southern tip of Africa, significantly extending travel times and increasing freight costs.

Reuters reported on the 22nd that Trump hinted this week that if the Houthi armed group obstructs shipping in the Red Sea, the U.S. might intervene. "But for the U.S. military, it's not that simple," the report said. The Houthi armed group possesses resilient and flexible combat capabilities, and engaging them would mean the U.S. would have to expend significant resources, which are currently focused on addressing the conflict with Iran and maintaining the blockade of Iranian ports.

The Arabic channel of Sky News UK reported that Iran, in addition to the Strait of Hormuz, is reactivating the Houthi armed group as a "maritime card." If the Strait of Hormuz is responsible for restraining the Persian Gulf, then the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait controlled by the Houthi armed group is responsible for blocking the Red Sea, creating a north-south response that forces the U.S. military and its allies to deploy forces in both strategic directions, facing the dilemma of "dual-line operations." This "dual-strait risk" will compel the U.S. not only to continue increasing troop levels in the Gulf but also to reinforce Red Sea escort operations. Reports indicate that this will further deplete the already strained U.S. ammunition and air defense interceptor stockpiles. Additionally, prolonged high operational tempo has forced some U.S. warships to extend their deployments, placing immense pressure on frontline personnel, and the vessels will eventually need to return to port for maintenance. The report mentioned that the U.S. Central Command has prioritized "maintaining shipping in the Strait of Hormuz" and "closely monitoring the situation in the Red Sea" as key tasks, indicating that Washington must balance two major theaters.

Meanwhile, there are still no signs of easing tensions between the U.S. and Iran. On the 22nd, U.S. forces conducted strikes against Iran for the 12th consecutive night. Trump threatened that every time Iran fires on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. will bomb and destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant. The Iranian Fars News Agency reported on the 23rd that two rescue vessels were damaged in an attack by U.S. forces near the waters of Iran's Hormozgan Province. The Iranian military stated on the 23rd that if U.S. military actions against Iran continue, the Iranian armed forces will continue to strike U.S. targets in the region. Additionally, Iranian military drones have again targeted three U.S. bases within Kuwait.

According to a report from the Israel Times on the 22nd, the U.S. has notified Israel of its plans to intensify strikes against Iran in the coming days, including the first use of heavy bombers since the U.S. and Israel began military actions against Iran this year. Heavy bombers are expected to be used to strike Iran's Parchin underground nuclear facility. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Baghaei stated on the 22nd that there is no nuclear activity at Parchin, and "the U.S. obsession with Parchin is merely an excuse for its aggression, destruction, and deliberate sabotage."

Furthermore, on the 22nd, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act with 216 votes in favor and 212 against, authorizing U.S. defense and national security-related spending to reach a record $1.15 trillion. However, Democrats questioned Republicans for significantly cutting social welfare spending while allocating large sums to the Pentagon.