Saudi oil tankers bound for China, India turn back after Houthi Red Sea threat

Two oil tankers carrying Saudi crude to China and India reversed course in the Red Sea on Tuesday.

The vessels had loaded at Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port of Yanbu before turning back toward the Suez Canal.

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels threatened to target ships transporting Saudi oil.

The reversal signals immediate impact of the Houthi announcement on commercial shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.