A Houthi threat to impose a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea could widen the Iran war and strain a US military already focused on Tehran’s attacks, current and former officials said.
Yemen’s Iran‑aligned Houthis declared they would block ships from loading or unloading at Saudi ports, potentially halting oil exports and cutting off about 7 percent of global supply.
Saudi Arabia, which hosts US forces, has not requested help, but President Trump warned Tuesday that obstructing Red Sea shipping — a vital global trade corridor — could draw in Washington.
“If something like that happens, we’ll take care of it. We’ve done that with the Houthis before,” he said.
The Houthis, hardened fighters who have resisted Saudi and US bombing campaigns, would force the US to divert resources already committed to Iran. “You’re bifurcating your admittedly robust resources between two active fronts,” said Jason Campbell, a former Pentagon official, noting warships might need to shift from the Gulf to Yemen.
Experts warn that confronting the Houthis could worsen US shortages of munitions and air defense interceptors. The Pentagon declined comment. The group has long obstructed traffic in the Red Sea and Bab el‑Mandeb strait, surviving years of Saudi‑led and US strikes. Former defense official Michael Mulroy said they retain the ability and willingness to disrupt shipping.
Under Joe Biden, US forces struck Houthi targets to keep the Red Sea route open. Trump intensified bombing last year after attacks on US warships and commercial vessels.
Neither campaign ended the threat, and last year’s two‑month action required major firepower, including two carriers, fighter jets, and B‑2 bombers.
Officials say US forces are already stretched, with more than 20 warships and hundreds of aircraft deployed in the Middle East. Some ships have remained at sea longer than usual, wearing on crews and delaying maintenance.
Additional forces are heading to the region for the Iran conflict, limiting availability for Yemen.
Mark Cancian of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said a second front would strain US naval forces, but noted the Houthis may struggle to sustain operations given Iran’s blockade.
“The Houthis may be hard pressed to continue a campaign for long,” he said.
