The Iran-backed Houthi militia said on Monday that they were launching a maritime embargo of Saudi oil shipments and have since fired on multiple tankers that have tried to test that blockade, while still others have switched their courses to avoid such a confrontation. This followed what the Houthis called an attack by the Saudis on an airport in Yemen.
Some have interpreted this as a full-on closure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea. But now the Houthis say that this is not the case.
A U.S. Airman and two U.S. Marines support an F-35A Lightning II during joint hot pit refueling training at Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 10, 2022. Hot pit refueling uses a single-point refuel pump, which allows an aircraft to be rapidly refueled immediately after landing, while the engine is running. This cuts down on response time and ensures the mission can be completed anytime, anywhere. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anna Nolte)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jacob Taylor, a dedicated crew chief assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, communicates with an F-35 Lightning II pilot,during Point Blank 22-3, at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, June 23, 2022. Point Blank is a recurring joint training exercise designed to enhance tactical proficiency and interoperability with NATO allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Koby I. Saunders)
“There is no closure of Bab al-Mandeb as some are suggesting,” Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdusalam said on X this week, as cited by DW.com. He clarified that they have launched merely a “naval blockade targeting only the Saudi side.”
The DW story also noted that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz has led the Saudis to ship all of their oil exports to the Western port city of Yanbu, and on to the Red Sea. But the Houthis’ embargo has threatened that, and also caused oil prices to rise.
Bab al-Mandeb Strait means “Gate of Tears” in Arabic.
Also, a report this week said that Houthis have received some new help from Iran, including personnel.
IRGC in Yemen?
Reuters reported Friday that Iran’s IRGC recently flew commanders, missile gear and gold to Yemen to assist the Houthis.
This led to a rebuke from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, per Fox News.
“They decided to send direct flights from Tehran into Yemen, carrying IRGC elements and others into the country,” Rubio told the press on Friday while attending an event in the Philippines. “And the Saudis responded to it.”
Rubio added that the U.S. and Saudi officials have been in touch this week.
“Anything that restricts shipping through the Red Sea would be problematic for the same reasons that the Strait of Hormuz is problematic,” the secretary said. “So we’re watching that closely.”
The Secretary of State went on to criticize Iran’s support of the militia.
“The Houthis, Hezbollah, the militias in Iraq, Hamas — this is what Iran spends its money on,” the secretary said. “It’s not on its people. It’s on supporting terrorist organizations and destabilizing actors in the region.”
President Donald Trump also weighed in this week, per Fox News.
“So far, it hasn’t happened,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday about confrontations with the Houthis. “I think that if there is something like that, we’ll just have to take care of business.”
The UN Rebukes the Houthis
A spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres this week said the Secretary-General is “deeply alarmed about the resumption of Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea this week and the renewed threats to maritime navigation.”
“The attack on commercial vessels, claimed by the Houthis, risks further heightening regional tensions and widening the current cycle of escalation with the potential to draw Yemen deeper into regional conflict,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Friday. “Further hostilities in Yemen will undermine prospects for peace, and cause serious economic, humanitarian and environmental consequences across and beyond the region.”
Both the Secretary-General’s office and the UN Special Envoy for Yemen have called for de-escalation.
How Will Trump Respond?
The question now is how the United States will react to the latest developments.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump told Axios that he is considering restarting “major combat operations” in Iran, possibly at a bigger scale than the initial phase of the war.
“I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it,” Trump said in the interview, adding that Israel — which has not been a participant in this month’s strikes — “would join in two minutes if I ask them to.” However, he added that “we don’t need anybody” to go ahead with the attack, and noted that Iran would likely retaliate against Israel in that case.
“They haven’t received enough pain yet,” Trump said of the Iranians. “We are trying, but the Iranians are not being helpful.”
About the Author: Stephen Silver
Stephen Silver is an award-winning journalist, essayist, and film critic, and contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Broad Street Review, and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. For over a decade, Stephen has authored thousands of articles that focus on politics, national security, technology, and the economy. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @StephenSilver, and subscribe to his Substack newsletter.
