Attacks on several Saudi energy sites spark fires, temporarily halt operations; 73 wounded

Attacks by the Houthis hit several energy sites in southern Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, causing fires and forcing a temporary stop to some operations, the Saudi Energy Ministry said. Crews were sent to contain the blazes, secure the locations and evaluate the damage, although the ministry did not name the affected facilities. According to Profit, separate attacks on four southern cities, Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran, wounded at least 73 people.

Reuters also reported that work had stopped at some Saudi energy installations after the strikes. Colonel Turki al-Malki, the coalition spokesperson, called the attacks a dangerous escalation and promised operational steps to deter the group. No figures on production loss, financial damage or the number of affected sites have been released so far.

Following the strikes, Brent traded at $98.25 a barrel, which was $1.25 or 1.3% higher, while West Texas Intermediate reached $93.70 after a 2.4% advance. Markets were weighing the risk of prolonged disruption to Middle Eastern supplies as Iran's conflict increasingly reaches oil infrastructure and sea lanes. Only seven commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, compared with eight the day before, according to Kpler figures cited by Reuters.