Houthis kill 6 in Red Sea attack; U.S. strikes Iran-bound ship in Gulf of Oman
First deaths from Houthi maritime strike since Iran war began; U.S. disables vessel accused of violating blockade.
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What to know
- Houthi attack on Tihamah killed four crew and two rescuers—the first fatalities from a Houthi maritime strike since the Iran war began February 28.
- U.S. forces disabled Iran-bound container ship Vela Nova with missile strikes for violating blockade; 12th vessel hit under U.S. blockade since April.
- Red Sea shipping remains severely disrupted: traffic through Bab el-Mandeb down over 50% since earlier wave of Houthi attacks (2023–2025).
How it unfolded
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Charlie Brown, senior advisor at United Against Nuclear Iran, noted that the Vela Nova's recent port calls in Mumbai and Port Klang alongside Iran-linked vessels underscored heightened scrutiny on Iran-related shipping.
“The reported U.S. disabling and stopping of the Panama-flagged Vela Nova near the blockade line in the Gulf of Oman, after its recent Mumbai port call alongside these vessels, underscores the heightened scrutiny now being applied to…”
Charlie Brown, United Against Nuclear Iran · Newswires ↗ -
Iran-backed Houthi forces attacked the Egyptian-owned Tihamah while at anchor northeast of Perim Island, killing four crew members and causing the vessel to lose control. The Houthis later confirmed the attack, claiming the ship was carrying Saudi military equipment.
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After rescue crews from the National Resistance Forces (anti-Houthi military group) arrived at the Tihamah, the Houthis attacked again, killing two rescuers. Ten people total were injured in both strikes.
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Pakistan's foreign minister confirmed three Pakistani nationals were among those killed. Yemen's transport ministry said one Indonesian crew member also died. The fatalities mark the first deaths from a Houthi maritime strike since the Iran war began on February 28.
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U.S. Central Command fired two Hellfire missiles at the Panama-flagged container ship Vela Nova in the Gulf of Oman, disabling its steering gear. The vessel had allegedly ignored repeated warnings against violating the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports.
What people are saying verbatim
“Four crew members were killed in an attack by Iran-backed Houthi forces on a cargo ship in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Tuesday, Yemen's transport ministry said.”
Yemen's transport ministry · Reuters / Investing.com ↗
“The fatalities aboard the Egyptian-owned Tihamah, if confirmed, would mark the first deaths in a Houthi strike on shipping since the Iran war began on February 28.”
Reuters · Investing.com News ↗
“The reported U.S. disabling and stopping of the Panama-flagged Vela Nova near the blockade line in the Gulf of Oman, after its recent Mumbai port call alongside these vessels, underscores the heightened scrutiny now being applied to Iran-related shipping.”
Charlie Brown, Senior advisor, United Against Nuclear Iran · Reuters / Investing.com ↗
“The vessel ignored repeated warnings to stop violating a naval blockade on Iranian ports.”
U.S. Central Command · Reuters / Investing.com ↗
“Two Yemeni rescuers from an anti-Houthi military group were also killed in the Bab el-Mandeb attack, Yemen's Coast Guard said.”
Yemen's Coast Guard · Reuters / Investing.com ↗
“It is the 12th vessel attacked by U.S. forces since its blockade was announced in April and the third since the blockade was reimposed on July 14.”
U.S. Central Command · Reuters / Investing.com ↗