Houthi Agreement Allows Access to Damaged Oil Tanker in Red Sea

Iran announced that Houthi group Ansarullah agreed to a temporary truce, permitting tugboats to reach the damaged Greek-flagged crude oil tanker Sounion in the Red Sea. Houthis, however, denied agreeing to a truce and only allowed the towing of the tanker.

The Pentagon revealed that Houthis threatened to attack tugboats attempting to salvage the Sounion. The attack on the tanker by Houthi militants was in solidarity with Palestinians amidst the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

The footage released by the Houthis shows fighters boarding the tanker and detonating explosives, threatening a significant oil spill. The US is closely monitoring the situation, while the Houthis reaffirm their commitment to enforcing a ban in the Red Sea.

The incident has raised concerns about a potential environmental disaster due to the unpredictability of the rescue mission for the immobile tanker.