UK condemns Houthi strikes on Saudi shipping

Update

The UK Foreign Office said the strikes endangered lives, risked environmental damage and regional instability, and violated international law.

The Foreign Office said Britain stood in solidarity with Saudi Arabia and urged the Houthis to stop.

Source note: AFP news report published on 23 July 2026 at 16:10:48 UTC.

Update

The UK government condemned Houthi tanker strikes as a violation of international law.

Source note: AFP news report published on 23 July 2026 at 16:02:30 UTC.

Update

The source says the attack on Saudi shipping brought the Middle East war to a new front and sent oil prices surging.

The Houthis said earlier in the week that they had struck two Saudi oil tankers after declaring a blockade of Saudi ports.

Kallas said the EU naval mission in the Red Sea remains committed to protecting freedom of navigation for all.

Source note: AFP news report published on 23 July 2026 at 11:36:20 UTC.

Update

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas demanded that the Houthis cease attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

Kallas called the attack on an oil tanker in the Red Sea unacceptable and illegal, and said it further inflamed regional tensions.

The source says the EU statement followed a Saudi vessel being hit by the Iran-backed rebels.

Source note: AFP news report published on 23 July 2026 at 11:27:00 UTC.

Update

Brent North Sea rose 5 percent to $98.80 a barrel.

West Texas Intermediate rose 3.8 percent to $90.11 a barrel.

Houthi rebels claimed to have struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.

The attacks were described as potentially opening a new front in the Middle East war.

Source note: AFP news report published on 23 July 2026 at 09:56:28 UTC.