Posted on 07/27/2026 9:28:05 AM PDT by Retain Mike
The Houthis enacted a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabian-linked ships and ports, dealing another blow to shipping in the Middle East.
Transits in the Strait of Hormuz were down this week compared to the previous week as the U.S. struck Iran for the 13th straight day. London-based Lloyd’s List Intelligence tracked 78 transits between July 13 and Sunday compared to 174 between July 6-12.
Both east and westbound transits took a hit with 44 eastbound transits between July 13 and Sunday compared to 101 the prior week. Westbound transits dropped from 73 to 34 in the same period. Numbers may fluctuate as ships who turned off their automatic identification systems to sail through the strait come back online.
Between July 13 and Sunday, there were more Iranian-linked ships passing through the strait, a flip from the previous week, Lloyd’s List Intelligence senior analyst Bridget Diakun said during a Thursday webinar.
Iran continued to strike ships using the southern route in the Strait of Hormuz, which goes by Oman. On Sunday, Tehran attacked an oil products tanker and a crude oil tanker – one off the coast of Oman and the other off the coast of Dibba, United Arab Emirates – according to the International Maritime Organization. Iran also attacked an oil/chemical tanker on Monday off the coast of Limah, Oman.
In response to the most recent attacks, President Donald Trump threatened to hit a bridge or power plant for every ship hit by Iran.
The U.S. blockade of ships traveling to and from Iranian ports also continues, with the U.S. boarding a tanker on July 17 as part of its enforcement, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.usni.org ...
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It’s time to send Yemen back to the Stone Age
That’s not a big step. They are still low-brow gomers.
I love you Mr. President but please quit dicking around and get on with it.
Crude is down huge today because the houthi attacks are failing. All the ships are doing is turning off their transponders, and I guess the houthis aren’t privy to Chinese satellites, because they can’t find them.
Saudis have a sizable military they should be able to take care of the Houthis on their own.
Ships need not go near the Houthis if transiting between Saudi Arabia and Europe via the Suez Canal.
If China needs oil, the Chinese military will clear a passage if necessary, and it won’t stop “until it’s over over there.”
The ships would typically be carrying oil for the PRC.
The Red Chinese aren’t going to provide targeting information.
Where is the Indian Navy? On paper it looks very capable.
How are the Houthies attacking in the sea?? We have the largest, most powerful Navy in the world. I am picturing them like Captain Phillips with a Skow with a couple of outboards.
Iranian and Chinese missiles and drones?
Saudis invaded Yemen in a failed regime change bid back in 2015.
By 2019, despite a blockade starving hundreds of thousands of civilians to death, the Saudis and their monarchial gulf compatriots still hadn't forced the Houthi's accept the leader they wanted to install. The Houthis hit the Saudi's largest refinery with some drones, and they immediately began to de-escalate. Eventually throwing in the towel in 2022.
I'm surprised day after day to find out FReepers had no idea of this war.
Yes,that’s a good question.
How are the Houthies attacking in the Sea?
You said, “We have the largest, most Powerful Navy in the World.”
Certainly we got the largest. Certainly the most expensive.
But if it cant dominate Yemen, maybe our Navy isnt very good.
“Where is the Indian Navy? On paper it looks very capable.”
Until the oil storage tanks in India are almost empty the Indian Navy will play it safe.
I’m not sure what countries Indonesia would prefer to sell oil to.
I know about the war but it doesn’t mean the Saudis would automatically lose against the Houthis again
Let's just say your faith in 'regime change' and Arab armies exceeds mine by a great deal. The world turned a blind eye (because Obama had our Pentagon quietly aiding them) while they killed hundreds of thousands of Yemenis and it still didn't win them the war last time. The Houthis still refused to quit. And once they realized the U.S. couldn't defend their refineries against the Houthis drones they immediately sought to de-escalate.
So what's changed?
I'd put my money on the Saudis making a deal so they can get back to making money. They don't want to see their golden goose continuing to get cooked.
What ability does the USA government have to short oil prices?
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