Houthis Signal Readiness to Join Iran War

A senior Houthi official told Reuters the group is prepared to act, though the timing of any intervention will depend on leadership decisions and developments on the battlefield.

If the Houthis enter the conflict, a primary target could be the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical passage connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and a key route for global oil and trade shipments.

The strait plays a vital role in transporting crude oil and goods between the Gulf, Europe, and Asia via the Suez Canal. Any disruption could significantly impact global supply chains, especially after Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Diplomats and analysts suggest the Houthis may be waiting for the most advantageous moment to intervene, potentially coordinating with Iran to maximize pressure on regional and global actors.

A Houthi source indicated that while Iran is currently holding its ground in the conflict, a shift in battlefield dynamics could trigger their involvement. “We stand fully militarily ready with all options,” the official said, adding that the decision on timing rests with leadership.

Iran-backed groups in Lebanon and Iraq have already joined the conflict following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Tehran. The Houthis, however, have so far remained on the sidelines despite their capability to strike regional targets and disrupt maritime traffic.

The group previously targeted international shipping in the Red Sea during the Gaza war, causing major disruptions to global trade. Those attacks ceased after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in 2025, but a renewed campaign could reopen a major front in the conflict.

The Bab al-Mandab Strait, just 18 miles wide at its narrowest point, is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. It handles significant volumes of oil and commodities moving between the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.