Oil climbs as Gulf shipping attacks and Saudi airport strikes heighten supply fears

UPDATE - follow-up to US-Iran War Live News Updates: 3 killed, 36 injured in Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia's airports: Oil prices rose on Thursday as fresh attacks on ships in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz revived supply worries. Brent crude futures were $1.33 higher, or 1.33%, at $101.53 a barrel by 0116 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate climbed $1.11, or 1.26%, to $89.39. Three people were killed and 36 injured in Houthi strikes on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport. Two women – one Moroccan, one Algerian – died at Abha, while 28 others there suffered injuries ranging from minor to severe, including Saudi nationals and residents from Bangladesh and the Philippines. At King Khalid, a Sudanese resident died and eight people were hurt – five Saudis, two Egyptians and one Pakistani. The Saudi authority said the attacks damaged property and the injured were taken to hospital. Gulf Cooperation Council secretary‑general Jassim Mohammed al‑Budaiwi called the airport attacks “systematic crimes” and said GCC states stand with Saudi Arabia. Saudi‑led coalition spokesman Major‑General Turki al‑Maliki said a comprehensive operation destroyed 82 Houthi targets across Saada, Hodeidah, al‑Jawf and Marib, including missile storage sites and command centres. U.S. Vice President urged Iran to make a meaningful cut in its nuclear enrichment. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran no longer controls the Strait of Hormuz. An IRGC adviser warned Iran will block “illegal routes” in the strait. CENTCOM rejected IRGC claims that Tehran controls the waterway, noting commercial ships and 20 million barrels of oil continue to pass. Turkey announced defensive and technical support for Saudi Arabia and pledged to join the coalition to keep Red Sea navigation safe.

Context

The price rise reflects how regional attacks and diplomatic tensions can quickly affect global oil markets, and the ongoing military responses show how fragile shipping routes in the Gulf remain.