Yemen's Houthis are considering charging commercial ships transit fees to pass through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one week after the group declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. Reuters reports the proposal was discussed with Iranian officials and would reportedly exempt Chinese vessels. Western and Gulf officials expect strong opposition, but concede that naval forces in the region are overstretched.
The Iran-backed Houthis are reportedly considering transit fees on commercial ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, according to Reuters. The move comes one week after the group declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, further escalating tensions in the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
Reuters sources say Houthi representatives discussed the proposal with Iranian officials during a visit to Tehran in July. Iranian advisers are reportedly helping the group establish an authority to regulate and collect the fees.
Chinese vessels would reportedly be exempt under a separate arrangement, reflecting Beijing's direct engagement with the Houthis to safeguard its shipping. Beyond that carve-out, the initiative is intended to normalize charging for passage through strategic waterways while increasing pressure on the United States and its allies.
Western and Gulf officials, however, expect strong opposition, although they acknowledge that overstretched international naval forces currently have limited capacity to fully protect merchant shipping. Reuters reports the proposal could further disrupt global shipping and oil markets.
The fee plan also surfaces after Iran rejected Oman's proposal for joint regional management of the Strait of Hormuz, which reduced hopes for easing disruptions to Gulf trade and energy markets.
Source: InvestingLive
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