Iran is intensifying pressure in West Asia through its Houthi allies, who have launched fresh attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, raising fears of a major global energy crisis. With the Strait of Hormuz already under pressure, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has emerged as a second strategic choke point, threatening global oil and gas supplies.

The Houthis claim responsibility for missile and drone strikes on Saudi-linked vessels, while Saudi Arabia has confirmed damage to one of its oil tankers. Analysts warn that if both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb are disrupted simultaneously, nearly one-quarter of the world's oil and gas supply could be affected.


Red Sea Crisis deepens | Houthi Missile attacks on Saudi ships escalate Iran-US regional conflict

The Houthi rebels in Yemen announced on Sunday (March 16) that they had launched an attack on a United States aircraft carrier in the Red Sea. This came just hours after the US carried out airstrikes against the Iran-backed group, resulting in at least 53 casualties.
&ldquo;In response to this (US) aggression, the armed forces conducted a military operation... targeting the US aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman and its accompanying warships,&rdquo; the rebels stated. According to their claim, they fired 18 missiles and a drone in the attack.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-warns-of-decisive-response-after-trump-orders-strikes-on-houthis-russia-urges-us-to-not-use-force-in-yemen-8858857">Iran warns of &lsquo;decisive&rsquo; response after Trump orders strikes on Houthis; Russia urges US to not use force in Yemen</a>
<h2>Deadly US strikes target Houthi leaders</h2>
The US airstrikes carried out on Saturday, marked the first direct action against the rebel group since President Donald Trump returned to office in January. The White House confirmed that several Houthi leaders had been killed in the operation.
According to the Yemeni rebels&rsquo; health ministry, the strikes left at least 53 people dead.
US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz told ABC News that the strikes &ldquo;actually targeted multiple Houthi leaders and took them out.&rdquo; He also stressed that the US would hold both the Houthis and their Iranian backers accountable.
&ldquo;If that means their targeting ships that they have put in to help, their Iranian trainers... other things that they have put in to help the Houthis attack the global economy, those targets will be on the table too,&rdquo; he stated. Speaking separately on Fox News, Waltz said the strikes served as a clear warning to Iran, declaring that &ldquo;enough is enough.&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-puts-iran-on-notice-after-us-strike-on-yemen-kills-multiple-houthi-leaders-8859305">&lsquo;Enough is enough&rsquo;: White House puts Iran &lsquo;on notice&rsquo; after US strike kills multiple Houthi leaders</a>
<h2>Trump issues stern warning</h2>
Following the attacks, President Trump made a forceful statement on Truth Social, warning Houthi leaders, &ldquo;YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY. IF THEY DON&rsquo;T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE!&rdquo;
He also directed a warning at Iran, saying &ldquo;To Iran: Support for the Houthi terrorists must end IMMEDIATELY! Do NOT threaten the American People, their President, who has received one of the largest mandates in Presidential History, or Worldwide shipping lanes. If you do, BEWARE, because America will hold you fully accountable and, we won&rsquo;t be nice about it!&rdquo;
(With inputs from agencies)

World: “In response to this (US) aggression, the armed forces conducted a military operation... targeting the US aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman and its accompanying warships,” the rebels said.

The Houthi rebels in Yemen announced on Sunday (March 16) that they had launched an attack on a United States aircraft carrier in the Red Sea. This came just hours after the US carried out airstrikes against the Iran-backed group, resulting in at least 53 casualties. “In response to this (US) aggression, the armed forces conducted a military operation... targeting the US aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman and its accompanying warships,” the rebels stated. According to their claim, they fired 18 missiles and a drone in the attack. Also read: Iran warns of ‘decisive’ response after Trump orders strikes on Houthis; Russia urges US to not use force in Yemen Deadly US strikes target Houthi leaders The US airstrikes carried out on Saturday, marked the first direct action against the rebel group since President Donald Trump returned to office in January. The White House confirmed that several Houthi leaders had been killed in the operation. According to the Yemeni rebels’ health ministry, the strikes left at least 53 people dead. US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz told ABC News that the strikes “actually targeted multiple Houthi leaders and took them out.” He also stressed that the US would hold both the Houthis and their Iranian backers accountable. “If that means their targeting ships that they have put in to help, their Iranian trainers... other things that they have put in to help the Houthis attack the global economy, those targets will be on the table too,” he stated. Speaking separately on Fox News, Waltz said the strikes served as a clear warning to Iran, declaring that “enough is enough.” Also read: ‘Enough is enough’: White House puts Iran ‘on notice’ after US strike kills multiple Houthi leaders Trump issues stern warning Following the attacks, President Trump made a forceful statement on Truth Social, warning Houthi leaders, “YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY. IF THEY DON’T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE!” He also directed a warning at Iran, saying “To Iran: Support for the Houthi terrorists must end IMMEDIATELY! Do NOT threaten the American People, their President, who has received one of the largest mandates in Presidential History, or Worldwide shipping lanes. If you do, BEWARE, because America will hold you fully accountable and, we won’t be nice about it!” (With inputs from agencies)

Yemen’s Houthis attack US aircraft carrier after Trump airstrikes kill 53

A missile attack by Houthi rebels on Sunday (Feb 18) severely damaged a Belize-flagged ship travelling through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

A missile attack by Houthi rebels on Sunday (Feb 18) severely damaged a Belize-flagged ship travelling through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. According to a report by the news agency Associated Press on Monday, the damage to the ship forced the crew to abandon the vessel. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre reported that the ship sustained damage after “an explosion in close proximity to the vessel.” “Military authorities report crew have abandoned the vessel,” the UKMTO said, adding, the crew were safe. Also read | Red Sea crisis: Houthis use unmanned underwater vessels for first time, says US Private security firm Ambrey reported that the vessel, which is British-registered and Lebanese-operated, had been on its way to Bulgaria after leaving Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Shipping data from MarineTraffic.com identified the vessel as the Rubymar. 'Made sure crew exited safely' In a statement issued following the missile attack, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said the ship was at risk of potentially sinking. "The ship suffered catastrophic damages and came to a complete halt. During the operation, we made sure that the ship’s crew exited safely," Saree said. This missile attack comes as the Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed that they shot down a US drone in the port city of Hodeidah. However, they did not offer any evidence for this claim. Also watch | Gravitas | Behshad: Iran's mysterious 'spy ship' in the Red Sea × Since the Israel-Hamas war started on Oct 7 last year, the Houthis have made repeated drone and missile attacks against international commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait in what they say is support for the Palestinians. The attacks have prompted several companies to halt Red Sea voyages and take a longer and more expensive route around Africa. Meanwhile, US forces said that they were carrying new airstrikes targeting the Iran-backed rebels, including the one that targeted the first Houthi underwater drone seen since they began launching attacks in Nov 2023. (With inputs from agencies)

Middle East crisis: Houthi missile attack damages Belize-flagged ship, crew forced to abandon vessel

UAE has intercepted a Houthi missile. This is the third time the Houthi rebels have fired a missile into UAE from Yemen. It comes during Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to UAE. Palki Sharma brings you the details.

Gravitas: UAE intercepts ballistic missile from Yemen's Houthi rebels

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the US military intercepted two ballistic missiles fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels over the skies of Abu Dhabi on Monday.

UAE and US intercept Houthi missile attack targeting Abu Dhabi

At least 17 people have been killed in an explosion near a petrol station in the Yemeni city of Marib. Dozens have been injured in the incident including five children. The petrol station is located about a kilometre from the military base.

At least 17 killed in Houthi ballistic missile attack on Yemen's Marib