Will Houthi advances in Yemen give Iran leverage in its war with the US?
News Source
β’Sat, 12 Sep 2026 19:17:37 +0000
π° What Happened
Houthi fighters in Yemen have taken more land along the Red Sea coast. They now control the area around the Bab al-Mandeb strait. This narrow passage is a key route for ships carrying oil.
The move has raised fears of a second front in the war between the United States and Iran. The Houthis are allies of Iran. Oil prices have now gone above $100 a barrel.
π The Backstory
The Houthis took Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition then went to war against them. The fighting has lasted more than ten years and caused one of the world's worst crises.
Saudi Arabia now finds itself in a hard spot. It backs Yemen's official government, but it also needs the Red Sea route for its oil exports. The strait sits near the Saudi coast.
π― Why It Matters
Oil above $100 a barrel is already pushing up fuel and food costs. If the Red Sea route closes, prices could climb even more for everyone.
Houthi fighters in Yemen have taken more land along the Red Sea coast. They now control the area around the Bab al-Mandeb strait. This narrow passage is a key route for ships carrying oil.
The move has raised fears of a second front in the war between the United States and Iran. The Houthis are allies of Iran. Oil prices have now gone above $100 a barrel.
The Houthis took Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition then went to war against them. The fighting has lasted more than ten years and caused one of the world's worst crises.
Saudi Arabia now finds itself in a hard spot. It backs Yemen's official government, but it also needs the Red Sea route for its oil exports. The strait sits near the Saudi coast.
Oil above $100 a barrel is already pushing up fuel and food costs. If the Red Sea route closes, prices could climb even more for everyone.