Middle East live: Yemen’s Houthis say Bab al-Mandab strait is 'safe for all' except Saudi Arabia

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis claimed on Friday that the Bab al-Mandab strait remains safe for commercial navigation except for Saudi vessels, as the group consolidates control over the vital Red Sea shipping corridor following the seizure of its last contested islands.

Houthi Control Expands in Strategic Waterway

A military official from Yemen's internationally recognised government confirmed that the Houthis have seized Greater and Lesser Hanish, the final two islands in the Bab al-Mandab strait that remained outside their control. The official stated that all territory previously held by the government on the western coast has now fallen to the group.

This latest advance follows the Houthis' capture of Mayyun Island, part of their broader effort to consolidate dominance over one of the world's most critical shipping passages. The strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is essential for international maritime commerce.

"We will continue to enforce blockade for blockade and escalation for escalation until the aggression stops and the blockade on our people is lifted."

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said on Friday that maritime navigation remains safe for all shipping companies except Saudi vessels, which remain subject to a previously announced ban. The statement indicates the group's intent to maintain and escalate restrictions in the region.

Regional Tensions and Broader Implications

Iran announced plans for a meeting of foreign ministers from Iraq and other Arab states bordering the Gulf to be held in Oman on Monday, with discussions focused on ensuring safe commercial shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement suggests coordinated regional efforts to address maritime security concerns.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on Friday that pressure on his country from the United States had reached a critical and dangerous stage. Speaking ahead of a Brics summit in India, he referenced heavy sanctions in recent years and recent military actions, describing the global situation as one of unprecedented complexity.

In a separate development, Hamas' armed wing confirmed that Mohammed Abdel Salam al-Yazouri, a senior commander of its Khan Younis Brigade and member of the group's higher leadership council, was killed by Israel on Thursday evening. The statement noted his role in planning the October 7 operations.

The convergence of maritime control shifts in the Red Sea, regional diplomatic coordination, and ongoing military operations reflects the intensifying complexity of Middle Eastern geopolitics and its impact on global shipping and international relations.