Two tankers were purportedly attacked and damaged shortly after exiting the Strait of Hormuz en route to Asia in the early hours of 13 June in a worrying escalation of tensions. The US swiftly accused Iran of conducting the attack, allegations which Iran “categorically rejects.”

The incident came just one day after Yemen’s Houthi fighters launched a rocket attack on the Abha airport in southern Saudi Arabia, wounding more than 20 civilians. The Houthis launched a second attack on 14 June, this time with drones. No casualties were reported. Tensions were already simmering in the Gulf and are rapidly approaching boiling point. (CONTINUED - 585 WORDS)