US conducts 13th night of strikes on Iran; Houthi attacks intensify Red Sea tensions

US conducts 13th night of strikes on Iran; Houthi attacks intensify Red Sea tensions

Washington, July 23 (VoM News); The United States military has delivered a 13th consecutive night of strikes targeting what it called threats to civilian shipping against Iran, amid claims from Iran’s Yemeni proxies the Houthi rebels have targeted Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. The US Central Command indicated that Wednesday’s strikes aimed to degrade Iran’s capacity to “threaten its commercial shipping, ensure free flow of international shipping… Including the restoration of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”

Iran had confirmed explosions in Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, Andimeshk and Omidiyeh.

The Houthis said they targeted two Saudi oil tankers, the “Encelia” and “Layla” in the Red Sea and set them on fire. It wasn’t clear what other damage there was to the ships and when, if at all, there would be news of casualties. Houthi action follows threat to block Saudi shipping. US President Trump said on Wednesday that there would be “major military punishment” against the Houthis if their attacks in the Red Sea persist.

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Trump also blamed Iran for the actions of the Houthi militia movement, “We’re going to hold Iran responsible,” he added. The escalating violence pushed Brent crude oil above $100 a barrel amid jitters about energy supply disruptions. Both the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway where more than 20 per cent of global oil passes and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait between Africa and Yemen lie along major global shipping routes.

UN chief Antonio Guterres pleaded to end diplomacy after expressing concern that the region was being sucked into an increasingly “vicious circle.” Baghdad too called for dialogue and on Wednesday Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visit Tehran as part of efforts to mediate in the crisis. The Iranian health ministry has stated that since the last wave of US strikes began last month on June 27, no less than 55 people have died and 629 people wounded, according to the report published on Thursday.

Tehran has vowed retaliation and an “eye for an eye” against Washington on its attacks.