Houthis' Yemen Advance Leaves Gulf States With Uncomfortable Choice

Reuters reports the Houthi capture of Yemen's Red Sea coastline, overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb strait, is giving Iran new leverage over Gulf oil exports already squeezed by the closed Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia shut a pipeline rerouting crude through Red Sea ports after it came under attack, and analysts say the pressure is designed to force Gulf states toward accommodation with Tehran rather than reliance on Washington.

Trump reportedly declined a Saudi request for U.S. strikes on the Houthis, reinforcing a view in Gulf capitals that talks with Iran are now necessary rather than optional. A planned meeting in Oman between Gulf foreign ministers and Iran's Araqchi on managing Strait of Hormuz shipping was postponed over disagreements on terms.

Iran's president separately reported 'good talks' with the UAE's crown prince at the BRICS summit in New Delhi, describing an agreement to 'put the past aside,' while analysts note the region's geography leaves Gulf states with no way to route around Iran.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.