US Says Houthis 'Duped' by Iran into Attacking Saudi Tankers in Red Sea

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that Yemen’s Houthi rebels have been ‘duped’ by Iran into attacking ships in the Red Sea. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Manila, Rubio said the Houthis had largely been ‘smart’ and not engaged in this type of activity during the conflict, but now appeared to have been tricked into targeting Saudi Arabia and its vessels. ‘I hope they will de-escalate, because I think the Houthis, frankly, have been duped by the Iranians into getting involved in this,’ Rubio said. His comments came after the Houthis claimed to have attacked two Saudi oil tankers, identified as the ENCELIA and LAYLA, using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. The Iran-backed group said the tankers had violated a naval blockade imposed on Saudi Arabia, which was announced on Monday, warning vessels against entering or unloading at Saudi ports or risk being targeted. The Saudi Press Agency, citing an official transport authority source, confirmed that a Saudi-owned ship had been struck and caught fire in the Red Sea, but said all crew members were safe. The Houthi move potentially opens a new front amid flaring US-Iran conflict and heightens threats to global energy supplies and trade beyond the Gulf.