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🇮🇱 Israel /Conflict & Security

Are the Houthis Iran’s last gaming card?

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Sources not specified Context piece
  • Iran is increasingly relying on the Houthi group as its primary proxy for exerting military and economic pressure on the US and its allies, especially with Hamas and Hezbollah weakened.
  • The Houthis are attempting to exploit their control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait to pressure international shipping, augmenting Iran's campaign in the Strait of Hormuz.
  • This action is seen as a joint effort by Iran and the Houthis to pressure global oil markets, with Saudi Arabia responding with strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.

Iran is increasingly turning to the Houthi group in Yemen as its principal remaining proxy for exerting sustained military and economic pressure on the United States and its regional partners, particularly as other allies like Hamas and Hezbollah have been significantly weakened.

The Houthis are currently attempting to leverage their control over the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial maritime chokepoint at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, which controls access to the Suez Canal. This strategy complements Iran's ongoing campaign in the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to disrupt international shipping and exert pressure on global oil markets. The group is also targeting Saudi Arabia, a move that comes despite a recent pact between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

a maritime embargo against the criminal Saudi enemy

— Yahya SareeHouthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced the imposition of a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, framing it as a response to the kingdom's alleged blockade of Yemen.

In response to a perceived US-Israel attack, Iran launched missiles and drones against Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States in February 2026, targeting energy facilities and military bases. More recently, on July 16, Iran reportedly instructed the Houthis to prepare to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait if the US were to strike Iran's power grid or energy infrastructure. While described as a contingency, the Houthis began positioning missiles and drones near the strait.

On July 20, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced a "maritime embargo against the criminal Saudi enemy," framing it as an "eye for an eye" response to Saudi Arabia's alleged blockade of Yemen and a recent attack on Sanaa International Airport. This action creates a second maritime choke point, amplifying pressure on global shipping routes. The Houthis are specifically targeting Saudi oil exports and commercial tankers, attempting to close off an alternative export route to the Strait of Hormuz. The Saudi-led coalition responded with strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, viewing the Houthis as integral to Iran's regional leverage strategy. However, Saree's announcement also revealed the Houthis' perspective, highlighting their view of overlapping wars and their motivation to address Saudi Arabia's "blockade" of Yemen.

eye for an eye

— Yahya SareeHouthi military spokesman Yahya Saree described the maritime embargo as an 'eye for an eye' measure in response to Saudi actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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