Iran’s state news agency Tasnim has reported that Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels are prepared to directly join the ongoing war against the United States and Israel. Citing an unnamed informed source, the report said the Houthis, also known as Ansarullah, are ready to take full control of the strategically vital Bab al-Mandab Strait, describing the move as an easy task for them.

According to the report, since October 2023 the Houthis have attacked hundreds of Israeli targets in the Red Sea in protest against Israeli strikes in Gaza, severely disrupting maritime traffic in the region. They have also targeted ships linked to the United States and the United Kingdom, affecting global trade flows. Despite international efforts to stop the attacks, they have continued, prompting Western navies, including the US, to escort commercial vessels through the Red Sea.

Analysts cited in the report noted that if the Houthis seize control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, it would further constrain Western military and commercial options, as the strait connects the Mediterranean and the Arabian Sea and links Europe with Africa and Asia.