Threat to oil tankers in Middle East worst since start of Iran war, analysts say

The threat to oil tankers in the Middle East has reached its worst level since the start of the Iran war, analysts said, after attacks on vessels in the Red Sea forced an alternative shipping route to close. Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, reducing daily traffic from over 100 ships to just eight on Sunday, while Houthi fighters backed by Iran have launched attacks on Saudi tankers in the Red Sea, forcing additional detours. The twin disruptions have created what experts describe as a compounding crisis threatening global oil supplies, with ships carrying crude for Asian export dropping to about four per day—the lowest level since the conflict began.