HEADLINES IN BRIEF

- Houthis say they have attacked 2 Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea READ MORE BELOW

- US military conducts 12th night of strikes against Iran READ MORE BELOW

- Rubio says Iran doesn't seem serious about a deal

- US signs landmark nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia

- China 'deeply concerned' about escalating situation in the Gulf region, Ministry of Foreign Affairs says READ MORE BELOW

IN DETAIL

Houthis say they attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea

Yemen's Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for attacks on two commercial tankers in the Red Sea, marking what would be its first reported strike on shipping since announcing a blockade of Saudi-linked vessels earlier this week.

According to the Houthi-run SABA news agency, the tankers Encelia and Layla were targeted in separate incidents, causing fires on board both vessels. 

The group said the attacks were carried out as part of a campaign against shipping linked to Saudi Arabia, which it accuses of maintaining a long-running blockade on Yemen and supporting recent military action against Houthi-controlled areas.

The reported strikes come days after the Houthis declared that Saudi-linked ships would no longer be permitted to pass through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic maritime corridor connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The strait is one of the world's most important shipping routes, and analysts estimate that roughly 12% of global trade passes through the waterway. 

A senior Houthi official said the blockade on Saudi-linked shipping would remain in place until what the group describes as the Saudi-led blockade on Yemen is lifted. 

The state-run Saudi Press Agency, citing a source from the General Authority of Transport, said a vessel caught fire following an attack but reported no casualties among the crew. The statement did not mention the second tanker named by the Houthis.

US military conducts 12th night of strikes against Iran

Iran and the United States appeared to move further toward direct confrontation after Iranian media reported a 12th night of US missile strikes in western Iran, while several Gulf countries reported intercepting missiles and drones amid growing regional tensions.

Iranian state media said US missiles hit locations near the cities of Ahvaz, Ramshir and Andimeshk. It also reported that two people were killed in the border town of Shalamcheh, near Iraq, following what it described as a US missile strike.

Tehran has responded to recent US operations by targeting energy facilities and desalination plants in neighboring Gulf states, according to regional officials. Several countries in the Gulf reported defensive actions overnight as concerns mounted over the potential for a broader conflict.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi signaled that Tehran would continue to respond forcefully to attacks it attributes to the United States.

In a post on X, Araghchi said Iran would follow an "eye for an eye" approach in defending itself against foreign aggression. "Any aggression against Iran, including our infrastructure, will compel a powerful and decisive response," he wrote.

With military activity increasing across multiple countries and no sign of an immediate diplomatic breakthrough, fears are growing that the crisis could evolve into a broader regional conflict.

China 'deeply concerned' about escalating situation in the Gulf region, Ministry of Foreign Affairs says

China has expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation in the Gulf and the wider Middle East, calling on all parties to exercise restraint and return to dialogue amid growing fears of a broader regional conflict.

Speaking as tensions continue to rise across the region, Beijing said the progress achieved through previous negotiations should not be undermined by a renewed outbreak of hostilities.

China stressed that military escalation serves no party's interests and reiterated its support for a political and diplomatic resolution to disputes. It also emphasized the importance of respecting the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of countries in the region.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the parties involved should remain calm, avoid actions that could further inflame tensions and work toward ending the current cycle of violence. Beijing called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged all sides to resume engagement and dialogue as soon as possible.

Chinese officials have argued that dialogue and negotiation remain the only viable path toward lasting stability. China also said it remains prepared to play a constructive role in international efforts aimed at restoring peace. 

"China stands ready to continue acting in the spirit of President Xi Jinping's four-point proposal," the ministry said, adding that it would make "unremitting efforts" to help de-escalate the situation and promote the restoration of peace and stability across the region.