Will Houthi advances in Yemen give Iran leverage in its war with the US?

Houthi forces have expanded their control along Yemen’s Red Sea shoreline and now hold the approaches to the Bab al-Mandeb strait, according to reporting on Inside Story. That strait is a vital passage for commercial shipping and particularly important for Saudi oil exports; its occupation by an Iran-aligned group has prompted alarm among regional capitals.

Analysts and commentators on Inside Story said the advance has raised the prospect of a second front in the broader confrontation between the United States and Iran. The programme noted that this development follows a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and together the two disruptions have heightened worries about the security of global energy supplies.

Market responses were immediate: fears of additional interruptions to oil flows helped push prices above the $100 mark. Beyond market effects, the Houthi presence in the Bab al-Mandeb area complicates Saudi policy toward Yemen and places the kingdom in a more constrained position as it supports Yemen’s internationally recognised government.

Inside Story, presented by Neave Barker, hosted a discussion of these dynamics with guests Ahmed Al-Ashwal, Jennifer Gavito and Abas Aslani. The conversation focused on what Houthi gains mean for the US–Iran contest and whether the group’s control of a crucial chokepoint strengthens Tehran’s leverage in any future negotiations. The larger strategic consequences remain subject to ongoing analysis and debate.