Amid U.S.-Iran war, Houthi rebels threaten to blockade another key strait

Key Points:

• The Houthis, an Iran-aligned Yemeni militia, have declared a naval blockade of the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait in retaliation for Saudi airstrikes on Sanaa airport, accusing Saudi Arabia of targeting the airport during an Iranian official's transit.
• Bab Al-Mandeb is a crucial maritime route connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, vital for Saudi Arabia's oil exports, especially after the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed amid the U.S.-Iran conflict; a blockade could disrupt energy markets and raise prices.
• The ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict has intensified, with the U.S. striking Iranian military sites and Iran targeting U.S. bases in Kuwait; recent attacks have resulted in at least 17 U.S. service member deaths and hundreds injured, marking the deadliest phase since the war began.
• Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun is set to meet President Trump in Washington, D.C., amid fragile ceasefire conditions with Hezbollah and ongoing Israeli strikes; a peace roadmap hinges on Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and Hezbollah's disarmament, though timelines remain unclear.