New report of attack on Strait of Hormuz shipping fans fears of threats to oil supplies

A new report of an attack on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz has heightened fears of threats to global oil supplies following Saudi Arabia's temporary closure of a vital oil pipeline. The incident, witnessed by maritime trackers, added to concerns over Iran-related threats to oil energy after the pipeline shutdown. The British-affiliated NGO UKMTO confirmed a projectile had struck a ship, leading to a fire and the evacuation of the crew.

The event followed Saudi Arabia's shut down of the East-West pipeline due to a drone attack, originating from Iraq, where Iranian-backed militias operate. The 1,200 km pipeline has been the principal route for Middle East oil exports for six months, transporting 4-5 million barrels daily, accounting for 4-5% of the global supply.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks on the pipeline. Although there were no official confirmations from Saudi Arabia, Houthi-run Al Masirah TV reported that Saudi Arabia had carried out airstrikes on an area in Taiz province, Yemen. Meanwhile, the Houthis claimed that Saudi Arabia had carried out 129 airstrikes in the previous 48 hours.

Meanwhile, Yemeni government sources reported that the Houthis had seized the strategic island of Perim on Friday in the middle of the Bab el-Mandeb strait, the "Gate of Tears."