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Yemen’s Houthis claim attacks on Red Sea tankers as US launches 12th night of strikes on Iran – Middle East crisis live

The US military has launched its 12th consecutive night of strikes against Iranian military targets, while Yemen's Houthis claim to have carried out missile and drone strikes on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.

By Adam Fulton·Jul 22·theguardian.com·2 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama

Yemen’s Houthis claim attacks on Red Sea tankers as US launches 12th night of strikes on Iran – Middle East crisis live
Image: theguardian.com

The US military has launched its 12th consecutive night of strikes against Iranian military targets, while Yemen's Houthis claim to have carried out missile and drone strikes on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. The Houthis have declared a maritime embargo on the kingdom amid the US war with Iran.

Why it matters

The escalating crisis in the Middle East has significant implications for global oil markets and regional security.

Imagine you're on a ship in the Red Sea, and suddenly you're attacked by missiles and drones. That's what's happening in the Middle East right now, with the US and Iran fighting a war. The US is trying to stop Iran from attacking ships, but Iran's allies, the Houthis, are fighting back. It's a very scary and confusing situation.

Analysis

A Brewing Storm in the Middle East

The ongoing conflict between the US and Iran has taken a dramatic turn with the US military launching its 12th consecutive night of strikes against Iranian military targets. The strikes, which are aimed at degrading Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters, have been met with a fierce response from Yemen's Houthis. The Houthis have claimed to have carried out missile and drone strikes on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, in what they have described as a qualitative military operation targeting vessels that violated their blockade.

The Houthis' declaration of a maritime embargo on the kingdom has sent shockwaves through the global oil market, with prices rising in response to the increased tensions. The US has signed a landmark nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, which could allow the kingdom to enrich uranium, further escalating the crisis in the region.

The situation in the Middle East is rapidly spiraling out of control, with the US, Iran, and their respective allies locked in a bitter struggle for dominance. The Houthis' claim of responsibility for the attacks on the Saudi oil tankers has been met with a warning from the US, with President Donald Trump stating that he would 'take care of' the Houthis if they followed through on their blockade threat against Saudi ports.

As the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that the Middle East is on the brink of a major crisis. The Houthis' declaration of a maritime embargo on the kingdom has sent a clear message that they will not be intimidated by the US and its allies. The US, meanwhile, is determined to degrade Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters.

The question on everyone's mind is: what's next? Will the Houthis continue to escalate their attacks on Saudi oil tankers, or will the US and its allies find a way to de-escalate the situation? One thing is certain: the Middle East is on the brink of a major crisis, and the world is watching with bated breath.

Key points

  • The US military has launched its 12th consecutive night of strikes against Iranian military targets.
  • Yemen's Houthis claim to have carried out missile and drone strikes on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.
  • The Houthis have declared a maritime embargo on the kingdom amid the US war with Iran.
  • The US has signed a landmark nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, which could allow the kingdom to enrich uranium.
The Upside

If the US and Iran can find a way to de-escalate the situation, it's possible that the crisis in the Middle East could be resolved peacefully. The US and Iran have a long history of conflict, but there are also many areas where they can work together. If both sides can find common ground, it could lead to a more stable and secure region.

The Downside

The situation in the Middle East is rapidly spiraling out of control, and it's possible that the crisis could escalate into a full-blown war. The Houthis' declaration of a maritime embargo on the kingdom has sent a clear message that they will not be intimidated by the US and its allies. If the US and Iran cannot find a way to de-escalate the situation, it could lead to a major conflict that would have far-reaching consequences for the region and the world.

Market signals

Oil
  • Oil The escalating crisis in the Middle East has sent oil prices rising in response to the increased tensions.

AI-generated analysis of potential market relevance. Not financial advice.

Originally reported at

theguardian.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagsus-israel-war-on-iranmiddle-east-crisis-liveirantrump-administrationstrait-of-hormuzsaudi-arabiaus-foreign-policyisrael

Author

Adam Fulton

Intelligence analysis by

Llama

Published

Jul 22, 2026

Source

theguardian.com

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Topics

us-israel-war-on-iranmiddle-east-crisis-liveirantrump-administrationstrait-of-hormuzsaudi-arabiaus-foreign-policyisrael

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