Iran demands houthis resume attacks on ships in the Red sea

Leaders of the Iran-backed group are now considering options for more aggressive action following recent ballistic missile launches toward Israel. There are disagreements within the Houthi leadership over how radical their next steps should be, according to Bloomberg.

On March 28, the group announced that it would continue military operations until the U.S. and Israel cease their attacks on Iran and its allies, including the Lebanese “Hezbollah.”

U.S. and Saudi officials have informed their European allies that the Houthis are currently seeking to avoid attacks on U.S. and Saudi Arabian targets. However, the longer the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran continues, the higher the likelihood of strikes on ships in the Red Sea. They also noted that the militants may be postponing this decision to maintain leverage over the United States.

Against this backdrop, oil prices continued to rise. On Monday, U.S. oil futures closed above $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022. To offset losses, Saudi Arabia increased oil exports from the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea. For ships sailing from there to Asia - the largest buyer of Saudi oil - the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is the fastest route.

Any campaign targeting shipping in the southern Red Sea and near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would seriously disrupt global energy markets. This waterway has become critically important since Iran effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz in early March.

Photo: Al Arabiya.