Houthi Seizure of Red Sea Coast and Drone Strikes on Saudi Pipeline Disrupt Oil Routes
13 sources across 12 countries · 1 of them is linked to a state
Who reported this
- Le Monde
- France 24
- CNN Brasil
- Telex
- The Indian Express
- The Jakarta Post
- Haaretz
- Corriere della Sera
- Asahi Shimbun
- Novaya Gazeta Europe
- Dawn
- Al Jazeera
- Al-Monitor
What the colours mean
- Left
- Centre-left
- Centre
- Centre-right
- Right
- A hatched block means the outlet is affiliated with, or controlled by, a state.
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Iran aligned Houthi forces have seized control of Yemen's Red Sea coast and the strategic Bab el Mandeb strait following a rapid offensive. The militants captured the port city of Mocha and the strategic island of Perim, effectively controlling a vital shipping corridor that links Europe and Asia. This development occurs as the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed due to an ongoing war between the United States and Iran. Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia temporarily shut down its East West oil pipeline, a key alternative route for exporting crude, after drone strikes hit pumping stations. Saudi and Iraqi authorities stated the drones originated from Iraqi territory, where Iranian backed militias operate. Iraq responded by dismissing a local military commander.
The combined disruption of the pipeline and the Bab el Mandeb strait has caused global oil prices to spike, with Brent and WTI crude rising over 7 percent to exceed 100 dollars per barrel. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman requested military assistance from U.S. President Donald Trump to fight the Houthis. Trump declined direct intervention but offered intelligence support, while also stating that the Houthis had contacted his administration to ask that the U.S. not become directly involved. Iranian officials have praised the Houthi victories as a divine triumph, though they have not officially announced plans to close the strait. The Houthis stated that maritime navigation remains safe for all except Saudi vessels.
Regional reactions vary. The Gulf Cooperation Council issued a letter condemning the pipeline attack. Meanwhile, Iran is scheduled to meet with Gulf Arab states in Oman on Monday to discuss the future of the Strait of Hormuz. Some analysts suggest the Houthis are acting with local agency within the broader Axis of Resistance, while others argue the offensive is a coordinated effort by Tehran to gain maximum leverage over the United States.
How each side framed it
- Left
- This coverage focused on the immediate political reactions of President Trump and the specific tactical movements of the Houthis.
- Centre-left
- These outlets emphasized the strategic blow to global energy supplies and the role of Iranian proxies in widening the conflict.
- Centre
- These reports focused on the economic implications for global trade and the diplomatic bind facing the U.S. administration.
- Centre-right
- This framing highlighted the failure of expensive Saudi defense systems and the perceived weakness of the U.S. security umbrella.
Sources
- Centre-left Al Jazeera: ‘Divine triumph’: Iran celebrates Houthis’ capture of Yemen’s Red Sea coast
- Centre-left Al Jazeera: Houthis celebrate seizing control of Yemen’s Red Sea coast
- Centre Al-Monitor: Analysis-Houthi advance in Yemen puts U.S. in a new bind
- Centre-left Asahi Shimbun: Houthis seize alternative route of Strait of Hormuz; blow to global oil supply
- Centre CNN Brasil: Analysis: Houthis threaten vital Red Sea route
- Centre-right Corriere della Sera: The second front open in the Red Sea, the Shia factions allied with Tehran and the Gulf monarchies: the questions of the crisis
- Centre-left Dawn: Trump says Houthis have asked US not to intervene in Yemen
- Centre France 24: The Houthis of Yemen seize the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait
- Left Haaretz: Trump says Iran 'probably' behind attack on Saudi pipeline
- Centre-left Le Monde: Saudi Arabia closes the pipeline it uses to bypass the Strait of Hormuz after drone strikes from Iraq
- Centre-left Novaya Gazeta Europe: Houthis against everyone (except Iran)
- Centre Telex: A drone attack from Iraq hit the Saudi oil pipeline that can bypass the Strait of Hormuz
- Centre The Indian Express: Expert Explains: What the fresh Houthi offensive in Yemen means for Saudi Arabia
- Centre-left The Jakarta Post: Saudis shut down oil pipeline as Houthis tighten grip on Red Sea shipping
100% of the statements in this article were traced back to the source articles listed above.