Oil Tankers Reverse Course as Houthis Declare Red Sea Blockade on Saudi Ports

Two tankers carrying Saudi crude reversed direction in the Red Sea this week after Yemen’s Houthi militia declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, adding a fresh threat to global energy supply routes already strained by the Iran conflict.

Tankers Redirect Toward Suez Canal

Shipping data showed the tanker Xin Long Yang, which had loaded 2 million barrels of Saudi crude at Yanbu port bound for China, made a U turn and redirected toward the Suez Canal instead. A second tanker, Rodos, carrying about 700,000 barrels for India, made a similar reversal Tuesday. The moves followed the Houthis warning shipping companies that vessels loading or unloading cargo at Saudi ports could become targets.

Trump Responds to Blockade Threat

President Trump said the US would take action if the Houthis followed through on the blockade threat. The warning adds to a wider escalation that has seen US strikes on Iran continue for a tenth night, while Iran has targeted American positions in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan.

Pressure Building on Iran’s Oil Trade

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China’s oil purchases from Iran have dropped roughly 40% in recent months, partly due to sanctions on independent Chinese refiners, adding financial pressure on Tehran during the conflict.