Al Jazara
روایت خاورمیانه 
The U.S. government reports the possibility of an agreement with Iran, but the field developments in the region indicate that the situation is more complex than it seems. On Monday, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, announced that Iran is seeking an agreement to end the war, and the White House is also ready to consider this option.
Houthi Occupations and the Strategic Importance of the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait
On the same day, the Houthis launched a large-scale operation against the Saudi-led military coalition. This group first captured the port of Mokha and then took control of the island of Perim, the Greater and Lesser Hanish Islands, the island of Zuqar, and the coastal city of Dhubab. These developments are particularly significant due to the location of these areas near the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. This passage is considered one of the main maritime trade routes in the world and becomes important as an alternative route for energy transfer in the event of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.
Read more: The Continuing Stalemate of Saudi Arabia in Yemen and Houthi Pressure
Houthi Attacks and Saudi Response
On Monday, the Houthis fired dozens of missiles and drones at an airbase in the city of Khamis Mushait in southern Saudi Arabia. These attacks prompted emergency warnings from Riyadh, and oil prices briefly rose by about 4%, reaching around $108 per barrel. Saudi Arabia is also trying to reactivate the vital East-West pipeline, which was halted last week due to drone attacks. This pipeline plays a crucial role in Saudi oil exports and can help the country transfer its oil to global markets without passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Diplomatic Efforts and the Future of Energy Security
The White House has attempted to alleviate international concerns regarding the energy crisis. Trump has stated that after the end of military conflict with Iran, oil prices will decrease, and the U.S. may play a role in some of Iran's oil resources in a manner similar to the agreement with Venezuela. However, market reactions have been cautious, and Oman has announced that a meeting between Iranian representatives and other regional officials, which was supposed to be held in Muscat, has been postponed.
Recent developments indicate that the regional security crisis is no longer limited to the Strait of Hormuz, and the potential control of parts of Bab-el-Mandeb by the Houthis could alter the region's security and economic equations. This situation has posed more obstacles to diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions.
Read more: Saudi Arabia in Yemen: New Challenges and Repeated Failures · Pakistan in the Security Council: Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia are Unacceptable
