WASHINGTON–TEHRAN, July 23. /Dunyo IA/. Yemeni Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea amid the ongoing exchange of strikes between the United States and Iran, reports Dunyo IA correspondent, citing Reuters.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the vessels were struck with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones for violating a previously declared ban on passage. According to him, all designated targets were hit directly.

He said that as part of the naval blockade of Saudi Arabia, the Houthis also forced around 10 vessels to change course and turn back. He warned that any actions by Riyadh against Yemen would result in new strikes deep inside Saudi territory.

Saudi state news agency SPA confirmed that the tanker “Encelia” was attacked in the Red Sea, causing a fire to break out at its bow. All crew members were reported safe.

Amid the Houthi actions, the United States launched another round of strikes on Iran. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said that, on the orders of President Donald Trump, Iranian military targets were struck, including naval assets, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance posts and air defence systems. The operation marked the twelfth consecutive round of U.S. strikes since hostilities resumed.

Iran said it carried out retaliatory strikes against U.S. targets in Jordan, Kuwait and other countries in the region. According to Iranian media, the attacks targeted missile systems, weapons and fuel storage sites, as well as U.S. military bases, including Al-Adiri Camp, Ali Al Salem Air Base, Doha Camp and Camp Arifjan.

Iranian authorities also said that two people were killed and several others injured in U.S. strikes in the country’s south. In addition, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported an explosion in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz, saying one oil tanker caught fire while two others turned back after attempting to pass through a mined section. Tehran said the strait was under Iran’s control and closed without coordination with Iranian authorities.

The United States also reported military casualties. According to the U.S. military, 18 service members have been killed and more than 450 wounded during the war with Iran. Donald Trump attended a ceremony for the return of the remains of four U.S. service members killed in attacks in Jordan and Iraq.

Meanwhile, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill allocating 1,15 trillion dollars to the Pentagon for military spending in 2027.