Houthis seize strategic islands near Bab el-Mandeb
In Yemen, the Houthis have seized strategic islands near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which, according to analysts, strengthens their influence over shipping in the Red Sea and pressure on Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries. Channel NewsAsia reports, citing Reuters, regional officials and analysts.
Bab el-Mandeb is one of the world’s key maritime arteries. Middle East analyst Fawaz Gerges said that Houthi control over the islands near the strait changes the balance of power and gives the group greater geopolitical and geoeconomic leverage over Saudi Arabia, the Gulf countries, the United States and global trade.
Pressure on oil exports
Saudi Arabia redirected a significant share of its crude oil exports through Red Sea ports after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. However, on September 11, Riyadh shut down the pipeline used to transport this oil following an attack on it.
According to Reuters sources, threats to shipping in the Red Sea combined with Iran’s blockage of the Strait of Hormuz could raise oil prices and intensify inflation. Iran and the Houthis, which the outlet describes as a group allied with Tehran, may force Gulf countries to choose between economic losses and negotiations with Iran to protect trade and energy flows.
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Talks in Oman postponed
A meeting of the foreign ministers of the Arab Gulf countries with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, scheduled for Monday in Salalah, Oman, was postponed due to differences over the terms of the talks, a source in the Gulf countries told Reuters. The meeting was to address a possible temporary mechanism for managing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said the meeting was rescheduled in the interest of reaching consensus. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also reported talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, held in New Delhi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.
Middle East Institute analyst Alex Vatanka believes that Gulf countries may increasingly consider parallel diplomacy with Tehran and a security strategy less dependent on the United States. Former U.S. negotiator Aaron David Miller noted that the Houthis are capable of using their geographical position and significantly affecting the international economy and the global oil market.
