The U.S. military on Friday fired upon and disabled a tanker in the Gulf of Oman that was attempting to evade an American blockade on Iranian ports. This incident marks the second commercial ship disabled by the U.S. since reimposing the blockade earlier this month.
Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, spokesman for U.S. Central Command, stated that the tanker crew attempted to run the blockade at least four times prior to the U.S. forces disabling the vessel. Hawkins added that the crew was repeatedly warned but did not comply, leading U.S. forces to disable the ship by firing into its engine room. The vessel is no longer en route to Iran.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on Houthi targets in the Yemeni port city of Hodeida and a nearby island. This action followed the Iran-backed Houthi group's announcement of a maritime blockade and an attack on Saudi ships.
Early Saturday, the Houthis' Ansarollah media claimed responsibility for a missile attack on the Saudi city of Jizan, reporting that the strike caused fires. The group also stated that Saudi Arabia's targeting of civilian facilities in Hodeida and Kamaran island constituted a "dangerous escalation" and vowed that "these recent crimes will not go unanswered." Saudi authorities have not yet issued an immediate response.
The recent events have heightened concerns over shipping in the Red Sea. The price of crude oil had previously surpassed $100 a barrel due to these threats, though it saw a decline on Friday after two Chinese-chartered supertankers successfully passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
In related diplomatic activity, a delegation from Oman arrived in Tehran for talks concerning the Strait of Hormuz. Oman controls the strait's southern coastline.
The U.S. and Iran have been engaged in exchanges for nearly two weeks. On Friday, Iran asserted it had conducted drone strikes on U.S. military facilities and bases across the Middle East in retaliation for sustained American attacks.
President Trump, speaking to reporters, indicated that while negotiations with Iran were continuing and that the Iranian side was appearing more serious than before, the U.S. remained prepared for military action. "We're locked and loaded. We're ready to go," he said. Trump outlined two potential strategies: a continuous military approach or a negotiated deal.
The U.S. and the United Kingdom are scheduled 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 of Staff Dan Caine expected to attend. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also slated to meet with President Trump at the White House on Tuesday.