Iranian-backed Houthi rebels renewed their attacks on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, targeting government-controlled areas in Yemen, as the ongoing violence threatens to reignite the country's civil war and raises fresh fears over threats to critical shipping lanes in the region.
Iran Holds Firm on Strait of Hormuz
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi underscored Tehran's position against reopening the Strait of Hormuz until the U.S. meets its conditions. His comments came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was now demanding compensation from Iran "for all of the people that they have killed" in the past — a sign that diplomatic tensions between the two sides remain deeply unresolved.
Houthi Rebels Strike Mokha and Marib
Iranian-backed Houthi rebels attacked the government-held port city of Mokha on Yemen's Red Sea coast, along with other areas of the country, deepening concerns over threats to strategic shipping routes and the possibility of Yemen sliding back into full-scale civil war. According to Yemen's military, the rebels targeted both Mokha and the central province of Marib with missiles and drones, though further details weren't immediately provided.
This isn't an isolated incident — the Houthis had already struck Marib and the eastern province of Hadramout the previous week, killing dozens of government troops and civilians. They also hit Mokha with missiles and drones over the weekend, killing at least seven people, including three troops, according to Yemen's military. Mokha holds particular strategic importance as a main port under Yemen's internationally recognised government, having been renovated specifically to handle shipping traffic and reduce reliance on the Houthi-held port of Hodeida.
Cargo Ship Attacked in the Red Sea
In a separate but related incident, a deck cargo ship was attacked on Tuesday by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, killing three of its crew members, according to sources from the Yemeni coast guard and military officials. Maritime security sources told Reuters that a cargo ship was believed to have been targeted in the Red Sea, though the fate of the crew remained unclear at the time of reporting.
Trump's Secret Departure From NATO Summit Over Iran Threat
In a striking revelation, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly flew out of last month's NATO summit in Ankara, Turkiye, using an alternate military aircraft, while the White House made it appear he was travelling on Air Force One as usual. This was reported by The Washington Post, which cited an Iranian assassination threat against Trump as the reason behind the covert operation.
Oil Prices Steady After Sharp Jump
Amid all this geopolitical turbulence, oil prices held relatively steady following a sharp jump the previous day. Brent crude remained unchanged at $87.72 a barrel, while U.S. benchmark crude also stayed flat at $82.13 a barrel. Brent had surged 5% the day before, and prices have swung dramatically between $72 and $102 over the past month, reflecting how closely oil markets are tracking hopes — and setbacks — around a potential U.S.-Iran agreement that would allow tankers to freely exit West Asia again to deliver crude worldwide.
FAQs
Q1. What areas did the Houthi rebels target in their latest attacks?
The Houthis targeted the port city of Mokha on Yemen's Red Sea coast and the central province of Marib with missiles and drones.
Q2. What happened to the cargo ship attacked in the Red Sea?
A deck cargo ship was attacked in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, killing three crew members, though the fate of the remaining crew was unclear at the time of reporting.
Q3. Why did oil prices surge recently?
Oil prices have been swinging sharply between $72 and $102 over the past month, largely driven by shifting hopes around a potential U.S.-Iran agreement that could reopen shipping routes through West Asia.