Yemen’s foreign minister has warned that the Houthi movement is trying to apply in the Red Sea the same kind of pressure Iran is seen as wielding around the Strait of Hormuz. The concern centers on efforts to disrupt commercial traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb, one of the world’s most important maritime gateways.
According to the minister, the Houthis appear to be pursuing a strategy that uses a narrow shipping corridor as leverage. In practical terms, that raises the risk of delays, rerouting and higher costs for vessels moving through the Red Sea and connecting waterways.
The remarks also frame the Red Sea as an increasingly important arena in the broader confrontation linked to Iran and regional security. If attacks or threats against ships continue, the impact could extend beyond Yemen to global trade flows that depend on safe passage through the area.
The warning adds to concerns that international responses so far have not been strong enough to deter further escalation. With the Bab el-Mandeb and Red Sea under pressure, maritime security remains a central issue for governments and shipping operators watching the conflict’s regional spillover.
