An Indian-flagged vessel was struck by a projectile off the coast of Yemen, according to reports. Yemen's transportation ministry, which is part of the Saudi-backed, internationally recognized government, has accused the Iran-backed Houthis of carrying out the attack using a boat laden with explosives.
The Houthis have not yet commented on the incident. The group announced what it described as a blockade on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea ports on July 20. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency has reported multiple attacks on ships in the region over the past week.
In a separate but related development, oil prices fell to a three-week low on Tuesday, influenced by senior U.S. officials expressing optimism about a potential deal with Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. officials indicated that talks have been progressing, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggesting a possible agreement to reopen the Strait could be reached as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday.
This follows a prior agreement in June between the U.S. and Iran on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at halting military operations and reopening the Strait, with the goal of reaching a broader agreement to end the war within 60 days. However, three weeks after its signing, U.S. President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire over, citing Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait and subsequent U.S. retaliatory strikes.
Iran has stated that it is not engaged in negotiations with the U.S. and has no plans to do so, indicating instead that it is communicating with Oman.
All 14 individuals on board the Indian-flagged vessel were safely rescued, according to India's ministry of external affairs.