Tankers make sharp U turns after Houthi shipping threat The recent announcement by the Iran linked Houthi group of a "maritime embargo" against Saudi Arabia has sent shockwaves through global shipping lanes, particularly in the Red Sea.
At least seven oil tankers have made sharp U turns close to Yemen since the embargo was announced on Monday, according to ship tracking data.
The Red Sea is a critical artery of international trade, connecting the Mediterranean to the Gulf of Aden through two choke points: the Suez Canal in Egypt and the Bab al Mandab Strait between Yemen and the Horn of Africa.