STORY: :: Houthi Military Media

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis said Monday,

:: Archive

they would ban ships linked to Israel from the Red Sea.

:: Israeli army

It comes after Israeli forces renewed attacks on Iran. 

What further risk might that pose to global shipping and energy supplies?

:: What kind of risk do the Houthis pose?

:: DVIDS

:: February 28, 2026

Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after Israeli and U.S. strikes on February 28.

That disrupted Gulf energy exports and pushed up prices.

:: Aramco

Saudi Arabia responded by diverting more than 70% of its normal crude exports to Yanbu, its Red Sea port.

That has kept some oil moving, offering a lifeline to the fuel market.

If the Houthis disrupt Red Sea shipping, it could choke off that lifeline. 

:: How would it differ from previous attacks?

:: Houthi Military Media

:: Archive

The Houthis had launched attacks on Red Sea shipping in 2023, over Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza.

But during that time, Gulf oil could still move through Hormuz.

And - while taking much longer and costing much more - ships could avoid the Red Sea by sailing around Africa.

Today, however, oil is being loaded on the Red Sea.

:: Have the Houthis been involved in the Iran war?

In the latest Iran war, the Houthis have stayed mostly quiet.

They may have wanted to retain the threat of choking off the Red Sea to deter further escalations against Iran.

Or to avoid provoking Saudi Arabia, which backs the Yemeni government against them.

But now they're signaling a change in their position.

A Houthi leader had warned in March:

"Our fingers are on the trigger at any moment should developments warrant it."