Trump threatens to punish Iran for Houthi attacks in Red Sea; oil surges over $100

United States President Donald Trump has warned Iran of "major military punishment" following attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea that were claimed by Yemen's Houthi movement, raising fears that the widening conflict could further disrupt global energy supplies.

The latest escalation has intensified tensions across the Middle East, with renewed military exchanges involving the United States, Iran and the Iran-backed Houthis, while pushing global oil prices sharply higher.

Trump blames Iran for Houthi attacks

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Washington would hold Tehran directly responsible for any future attacks carried out by the Houthis, whom the United States considers an Iranian proxy.

"If they do this again, the U.S. will hold Iran responsible, in that the Houthis are a surrogate and/or proxy of Iran, and major military punishment will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis, themselves."

The warning came after the Houthis announced they had targeted two Saudi oil tankers—the Encelia and the Layla—using missiles and drones as part of what they described as a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia.

A maritime security source said the Encelia issued a distress signal after reportedly being struck near the Saudi port of Jizan, with Saudi authorities confirming that the vessel caught fire at its bow. Reports of damage to the Layla had not been independently verified.

Oil prices surge above $100

The attacks rattled global energy markets, with Brent crude rising more than six percent to exceed $100 per barrel, its highest level in months, amid concerns that shipping disruptions could spread beyond the Strait of Hormuz to the Bab el-Mandeb, another critical maritime route linking the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.

The Houthis recently declared a blockade targeting Saudi shipping in the Red Sea, increasing fears over the security of one of the world's busiest energy corridors.

US and Iran exchange fresh strikes

The crisis unfolded as the United States carried out another round of overnight airstrikes against Iranian targets, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory attacks against locations it said hosted American military assets in Jordan and Kuwait.

Iran claimed it struck U.S. missile systems, weapons depots and fuel storage facilities, while Jordan's military reported intercepting multiple Iranian missiles and drones, with only one missile landing harmlessly in an uninhabited area.

Iranian military spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia said Tehran would continue retaliating as long as U.S. strikes persisted.

Washington demands new agreement

Speaking at a diplomatic meeting in Southeast Asia, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said pressure on Iran would continue until Tehran agreed to what Washington considers a credible peace arrangement.

"Iran is begging for a deal every day. The problem with Iran is every time they make a deal, they either break it or they want to change it."

He added that the cost to Iran would "get higher every night" if hostilities continued.

Fears of wider regional conflict

The collapse of an interim truce has raised concerns that the conflict could expand further, threatening vital oil export routes and increasing economic pressure worldwide.

Analysts warn that sustained attacks on shipping through both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb could significantly disrupt global energy supplies, drive fuel prices higher and fuel inflation across major economies.

Trump also renewed his warning that the United States would target Iranian infrastructure if commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz came under further attack. In response, Iran warned it could retaliate by targeting oil, gas, electricity and other strategic infrastructure across the region, while vowing to disrupt energy exports if the conflict continues to intensify.