Tanker Struck Near Strait of Hormuz as Houthi Forces Tighten Grip on Bab el-Mandeb; BRICS Calls for Restraint
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West Asia's maritime corridors are under fresh strain after a commercial vessel came under attack near the Strait of Hormuz, even as Houthi forces expand their hold over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait further south. The twin developments have pushed BRICS leaders to issue a fresh appeal for calm.
Vessel Hit Near the Strait of Hormuz
An Iranian-flagged commercial ship came under fire early Sunday close to the Strait of Hormuz, with Iranian state media reporting one crew member killed and three others injured. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency separately confirmed a vessel was struck by a projectile while passing through the strait, though it has not yet released details on the ship's identity or the extent of the damage. Mariners transiting the area have been told to proceed with caution and flag any suspicious activity to authorities while an investigation is underway.
Houthi Forces Expand Control Over Bab el-Mandeb
Further south, Yemen's Houthi movement has consolidated its hold on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait after capturing the Red Sea port of Mokha along with the last two offshore islands that had remained outside its control. Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, responded with strikes on Houthi positions in and around the newly seized port, reportedly destroying weapons and vehicles and killing several fighters.
The Iran-aligned group has also continued cross-border strikes into Saudi Arabia, hitting a military base and causing injuries, according to regional reporting. Analysts note that tightening control over Bab el-Mandeb gives the Houthis added leverage over alternate export routes that Saudi Arabia has increasingly relied on since disruptions began affecting the Strait of Hormuz.
Diplomatic Moves on Hormuz Shipping Routes
Amid the tension, Iran and Oman have reportedly finalized proposed new entry and exit routes for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The two sides are expected to present their plan to Gulf partners at a regional meeting scheduled in Muscat.
BRICS Leaders Call for Restraint
At a summit in New Delhi, BRICS members — a bloc that includes Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the UAE — issued a joint declaration expressing deep concern over the escalating situation in West Asia. The statement urged all sides to exercise maximum restraint, pursue dialogue over confrontation, and safeguard civilians and civilian infrastructure in line with the UN Charter. Leaders also stressed the importance of keeping global trade, supply chains, and energy flows uninterrupted.
Why It Matters
- Strait of Hormuz: One of the world's busiest oil transit chokepoints now facing repeated security incidents.
- Bab el-Mandeb Strait: A critical alternate route for Saudi oil exports, now increasingly under Houthi influence.
- Global Trade Impact: Continued instability across both waterways raises the risk of higher shipping costs and energy price volatility worldwide.
This report is an original summary compiled from multiple public news sources and is intended for informational purposes.