In a significant development for regional security and global energy markets, Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced on Monday that they have taken control of the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands, two strategic outposts in the southern Red Sea. The islands sit near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital alternative route for oil shipments that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz.
Strategic implications for oil flow
Houthi officials said the seizure came as Saudi‑backed Yemeni government forces attempted to regain ground around the Bab el-Mandeb corridor. By holding the islands, the Iran‑backed rebels can more easily threaten Saudi oil exports that rely on the Red Sea route, potentially tightening pressure on global oil supplies and prices.
Earlier this year, Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, forcing Saudi Arabia to shift much of its crude export traffic through Bab el-Mandeb. The recent Houthi advance follows a string of aggressive moves, including the capture of the Red Sea port of Mokha and a nearby strategic island just last week.
International reactions
China, a major importer of Middle‑East oil, labeled the Houthi attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure “unacceptable” and expressed “deep concern” over further escalation. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun urged all parties to exercise restraint and resolve disputes through dialogue.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright reiterated the Trump administration’s stance that Iran must never develop or obtain a nuclear weapon and warned that Iran’s growing leverage over oil routes could be used to pressure the United States and its allies.
Iran’s diplomatic maneuvering
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei accused Saudi Arabia of sabotaging a planned regional meeting on the Strait of Hormuz that was to be hosted by Oman. Baghaei said Saudi officials demanded the summit be postponed, describing the gathering as a “proper opportunity” to restore regional security.
According to a Gulf official, Saudi Arabia submitted amendments to a pending Iran‑Oman agreement on the Strait, citing concerns about lasting implications for Gulf Cooperation Council members.
Related regional incidents
In Iraq, an ammonia leak at a fertilizer plant in Basra killed two people and injured more than 100, highlighting ongoing safety challenges in the region.
Meanwhile, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with U.S. Central Command’s top commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, in Jeddah to discuss bilateral relations and recent regional developments, including the Houthi threat and recent attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure.
What this means for the United States
The Houthi control of the islands adds another variable to the already complex calculus of Middle‑East energy security. While the United States continues to support Saudi Arabia’s efforts to secure its oil exports, the situation underscores the importance of maintaining a strong naval presence in both the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. officials stress that any disruption to the flow of oil could have ripple effects on global markets, potentially raising fuel prices for American consumers. The administration remains vigilant, monitoring the situation closely and working with regional partners to deter further aggression.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
