Houthis warn shipping companies to avoid Saudi ports, threaten attacks on vessels

Jul 21, 2026

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia and warned shipping companies that vessels loading or discharging cargo at Saudi ports could face sanctions or targeting. The warning was followed by two tankers carrying Saudi crude to China and India reversing course in the Red Sea and heading toward Suez. The escalation threatens shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and raises disruption risks for Saudi Arabia’s alternative Red Sea export route. Donald Trump said the United States would “take care of business” if the Houthis followed through on their threats, while war-risk insurance premiums rose.

Houthi blockade of Saudi ports

▪The Houthis' Sanaa-based Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center sent emails to multiple shipping companies warning that violating vessels face sanctions and targeting.
▪The Houthis said the blockade was declared in retaliation for what they described as a Saudi attack on Sanaa International Airport and an unjust siege on Yemen.
▪Yemen's Houthi rebels declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia on July 20, 2026, banning all vessels from loading or discharging cargo at Saudi ports.

Red Sea shipping disruption

▪War risk insurance premiums for ships rose to approximately 0.75% of a vessel's value on July 20, 2026, up from 0.3% on July 17, 2026.
▪The Houthi blockade threatens the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a 32-kilometer-wide gateway through which approximately 12% of global trade and 7% of maritime traffic passes.

US-Iran conflict escalation

▪The Houthi blockade opens a potential new front in the ongoing US-Iran conflict, which began on February 28, 2026, and has severely disrupted Strait of Hormuz traffic.
▪Houthi members stated that their stockpile of drones is running low and that the US-Iran war has further impeded the flow of weapons from Iran.

Trump administration response

▪The Guardian reported, citing Axios, that the Trump administration was weighing whether to escalate the conflict further or pursue a 10-day ceasefire to allow new talks.
▪Donald Trump stated on July 21, 2026, that the United States would have to take care of business if the Houthis followed through on their threats.

Iranian attacks on regional allies

▪Jordan's military reported shooting down five drones and three missiles launched by Iran on July 20, 2026.
▪The Kuwaiti government reported that Iranian strikes hit its desalination and power plants for a fourth consecutive day on July 20, 2026.

Oil tanker route changes

▪Al-Monitor reported that Saudi Arabia had directed more than 70% of its crude shipments to Yanbu, where exports stood at around 4.5 million barrels per day.
▪Two oil tankers loaded with Saudi crude bound for China and India made U-turns in the Red Sea on July 21, 2026, to head toward the Suez Canal.