President Trump vowed to hold Iran accountable for Houthi attacks on Red Sea oil tankers that pushed Brent crude past $100 a barrel.
President Trump stated that the United States will hold Iran responsible for continued Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, warning that major military punishment will be inflicted on both Iran and its proxy group. The Houthi rebels recently struck two Saudi oil tankers, causing Brent crude prices to surge past $100 a barrel for the first time since May. To support these operations, Iran deployed between 10 and 21 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps personnel, including senior commanders, to Yemen. These officials provided training on new missile systems and were accompanied by drone gear and gold to fund Houthi activities. The attacks have partially closed the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, a critical trade route that carries roughly 5% of the world’s oil. Ships avoiding the area must travel an additional 10 to 15 days to reach destinations like India and China. The administration announced that the Houthi strikes mark the first major oil disruption in the Red Sea since the group declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia.