Houthis aim to replicate Iran's Hormuz playbook in Red Sea

Yemen's foreign minister-designate Afrah al-Zouba warned that Iran-backed Houthis are emboldened by insufficient international response and seek to disrupt shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, copying Iran's strategy in the Strait of Hormuz. The strait handles 30% of global container traffic. Recent Houthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia and Saudi airstrikes on Hodeidah have escalated tensions, risking a return to large-scale conflict. Yemen's government says it is prepared for escalation.