Iran's Red Sea Deterrence: Houthis Blockade Saudi Shipping

Yemen's Houthis declared a naval blockade on Saudi export ships through the Bab el-Mandeb strait on July 20. Four days earlier, Reuters reported Iran had asked the Houthis to prepare to close the Red Sea oil route if the U.S. strikes Iranian infrastructure. The timing suggests Iran positioned the blockade as deterrence against U.S. escalation.