Middle East: Oil surges as Gulf tensions escalate

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea on Thursday, marking their first strike since announcing a blockade of Saudi-linked shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, according to France 24. The Houthis say they're retaliating for Saudi Arabia's blockade of Yemen and a recent airstrike on Sanaa's airport. With the Strait of Hormuz remaining closed and shipping pressure mounting globally, Brent crude has climbed to its highest level since May.

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