Iran retaliates against US allies after its oil tankers destroyed
Summary
Iran-backed Houthis struck several Saudi cities, wounding 73 people and igniting oil installations, as US forces destroyed five Iranian oil tankers and Iran hit a US base in Jordan. The escalation pushed Brent crude higher and widened the conflict across the Gulf and Red Sea region.
Key Points
- Iran-backed Houthis launched strikes on four cities in southern Saudi Arabia, causing fires at oil facilities and injuring 73 people.
- The US military said it destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers in response to Iranian attacks on a US Navy warship.
- Iran retaliated by launching ballistic missiles at a US base near Al Azraq in Jordan, though Jordan said most were intercepted.
- The fighting has pushed Brent crude higher and raised fears of wider disruption to Middle East energy supplies.
