Houthis Join Iran War Threatening Mandab Strait Critical Energy Route

Yemeni Militants Target Strategic Waterway as Middle East Conflict Widens\n\nHouthi forces have joined the Iran war, threatening the Mandab Strait, one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.\n\n### The Threat\n\n- Houthi forces joining Iran conflict, widening regional war\n- Mandab Strait — 10% of global oil trade passes through it\n- Global shipping already disrupted by Iran-related chaos\n- Flexport CEO warns cargo being stranded, inflation threatened\n\n### Why It Matters\n\nThe Mandab Strait is a narrow waterway between Yemen and Djibouti. Any disruption forces tankers to reroute around Africa, adding weeks and massive costs.\n\n### Compounding Crisis\n\nThis adds to existing shipping chaos from the Iran war. The Middle East's largest aluminum facility also sustained significant losses in a Saturday attack.\n\nSource: Wall Street CN / WIRED