Iran pressuring Houthis to attack Red Sea ships, European officials say

A Houthi soldier mans a machine gun on a pickup truck while on patrol during a rally in solidarity with Iran in Sanaa, Yemen, on Friday.

Photo: EPA Iran is pushing the Houthis to prepare for a renewed campaign against Red Sea shipping, contingent upon any further escalation by the US in its war on the Islamic Republic, according to European officials familiar with the matter.

Leaders of the Yemen-based Houthis, a militant group backed by Iran, are weighing options for more aggressive action after launching ballistic missiles at Israel, the people said, asking not to be named discussing sensitive matters.

There are divisions within the Houthis’ leadership about how aggressive to be and that was partly why the group only entered the conflict a month into it, the people said.

In an announcement on Saturday, the Houthis said they would continue military operations until US-Israeli attacks on Iran and its proxy groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, cease.

They specifically did not say they would target tankers or other vessels transiting the Red Sea.

US and Saudi Arabian officials have told European allies they believe the group wants to avoid further escalation and attacks on American and Saudi assets for now, the people said.

A spokesperson for the Saudi government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

White House spokespeople did not immediately comment on the matter.

Still, the longer the US-Israeli war against Iran goes on, the more likely the Houthis are to target the Red Sea, the people added.

They said it was possible the Islamist group could delay a decision as a way of retaining leverage against the US.

One of the officials said an attempted American takeover of Kharg Island – from where Iran exports most of its oil – could prompt the Houthis to expand their attacks.

Any campaign by the Houthis against ships in the southern Red Sea and near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would further upend global energy markets.

The waterway has become crucial following Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began in late February.

Oil prices rose again on Monday with US crude futures ending the session above US$100 a barrel for the first time since 2022.

With Hormuz blocked, Saudi Arabia has ramped up crude exports from the Red Sea port of Yanbu.

For ships going from there to Asia – the biggest buyer of Saudi oil – the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is by far the quickest route.

The availability of that alternative out

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