The **Houthis**, a group based in Yemen and supported by **Iran**, have recently taken control of the **Bab el-Mandeb** strait during a limited military operation. This action has reignited conflict in Yemen, despite a 2024 ceasefire that had temporarily ended years of fighting between the Houthis and the Yemeni government, which is backed by **Saudi Arabia**. Control of the **Bab el-Mandeb** strait, a critical shipping route connecting the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean, gives **Iran** a strategic advantage by allowing it to exert pressure on **Saudi Arabia** and potentially disrupt its oil exports. This offensive is part of a broader trend showing the failure of **Saudi Arabia**-backed Yemeni government forces to maintain control over areas recently captured by the Houthis. Iran has supported this offensive, partly due to economic motives. While **Iran** has not been able to fully close the **Strait of Hormuz**, a key oil export route, it is using the **Bab el-Mandeb** strait to create uncertainty in global oil markets. This strategy aims to pressure **Saudi Arabia**, a major oil exporter, and influence global oil prices. The offensive was announced months earlier by **Iranian** authorities and coordinated with the Houthis to align with both **Iran**'s regional goals and the Houthi movement’s agenda. The **Houthis**' control of the strait is also seen as a way to counterbalance U.S. naval influence in the region, particularly in the **Strait of Hormuz**, and to indirectly affect the U.S. mid-term elections by creating economic uncertainty. The **Houthis**' offensive coincided with attacks on the **East-West pipeline** by Shia militias in **Iraq**, which are believed to be linked to **Iran**. While **Iranian** officials, including President **Pezechkian**, publicly deny involvement in such attacks, the real power in **Iran** is not him. The visible government makes these denials to avoid direct blame but is part of a broader, coordinated strategy by the **Islamic Republic** to influence the global economy. This strategy includes creating uncertainty through control of the **Bab el-Mandeb** strait and reducing **Saudi Arabia**'s ability to export oil, all while avoiding direct military confrontation with the **United States**. Despite **Iran**'s efforts, its oil exports have been severely restricted by the **U.S. maritime blockade**, which has reduced exports to 300,000 to 400,000 barrels per day, compared to 1.5 million previously. This has raised concerns in **Iran** about its ability to maintain oil exports, especially to **China**, and could lead to economic instability and even threaten the regime's survival if the blockade continues. **Iran** is also considering military actions against **U.S.** warships to cause casualties and influence domestic political debates in the **United States**. However, **Saudi Arabia** remains a key ally of the **United States**, even as it diversifies its partnerships with **Turkey** and **Pakistan**. This diversification, which began during the **Obama** administration, has not shifted **Saudi Arabia**'s main alliances away from **Western** powers.