Yemen's Houthi rebels announced Tuesday they targeted two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, a claim that emerged after the U.S. launched its 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iran.
According to a statement from the Houthis' military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, the group targeted the vessels with drones and missiles for allegedly violating its naval blockade. The Houthis stated they would continue their naval operations and enforce a "siege for a siege" policy. The group had previously announced a "maritime embargo" against Saudi Arabia, aiming to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the southern gateway to the Red Sea, to Saudi vessels.
The UK Maritime Trade Operation (UKMTO) reported an "unknown projectile" struck a Saudi tanker approximately 130 kilometers (80 miles) from Al Shuqaiq, Saudi Arabia, at 20:00 GMT. The incident resulted in a fire but no casualties, the UKMTO said.
U.S. Central Command (Centcom) confirmed it had launched strikes on Iran at the direction of President Donald Trump at 21:30 GMT. Centcom stated the strikes were intended "to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters."
Iranian state media reported that two individuals were killed in the U.S. strikes, which targeted areas near the country's border with Iraq. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) also claimed that the Strait of Hormuz was "completely closed" following an explosion in the channel, according to Reuters. The IRGC asserted it had stopped three oil tankers from passing through the strait, with one tanker catching fire and two others turning back after attempting to navigate a mined route south of the Strait.
Earlier on Wednesday, President Trump had warned that the U.S. would "destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant" if Iran attacked any ships in the Strait of Hormuz. He also stated on Tuesday that the U.S. would "take care of the Houthis" if they obstructed the Red Sea.
Following the developments, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a warning of an "eye for an eye" response to any attacks on Iran.
Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain reported responding to airborne threats shortly after the U.S. strikes. Iran's military later stated that U.S. assets in all three countries had been targeted, according to AFP.