Houthis impose naval blockade on Saudi Arabia
DUBAI/CAIRO, July 20 – Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis announced on Monday that they were imposing a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, a move that opens a new front against the United States in its conflict with Iran and heightens the threat to global energy supplies and trade beyond the Gulf, reports BritPanorama.
The Houthis declared a “maritime embargo against the criminal Saudi enemy,” effective immediately, framing the blockade as a response to what they describe as “an unjust and oppressive siege” imposed on Yemen by Saudi Arabia. This decision correlates with increasing military tensions, as Iran had previously urged the Houthis to close the Bab el-Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea if the U.S. continued its assault on Iranian power infrastructure.
The full closure of the Bab el-Mandeb strait could lead to a reduction in global oil supply by approximately 7%, significantly impacting Saudi oil exports. This blockade would exacerbate the ongoing disruptions resulting from the war in the Gulf, which has previously cut shipments by 10% of global supply.
The announcement from the Houthis came amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts from both Iran and the U.S. to restore a fragile interim agreement that had previously been signed. Following the announcement, a senior Iranian official indicated that Tehran had received a proposal for a 10-day ceasefire from mediators, aimed at salvaging efforts for a more enduring agreement.
Despite the heightened tensions, oil prices saw a brief surge above $90 per barrel on Monday due to renewed shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz but later retreated. This fluctuation occurred after Iran’s Foreign Ministry referenced ongoing diplomatic proposals, suggesting attempts at negotiation remain active.
Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni also made his second visit to Islamabad in less than a week, reportedly requesting Pakistan to resume its mediation role in the ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States. This diplomatic activity follows recent claims by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards stating they targeted U.S. military assets in response to U.S. bombardments on Iranian cities.
As the situation unfolds, the implications of the Houthis’ blockade and the international response remain to be seen, particularly regarding global oil markets and regional stability.
