Boom! Yemen's Houthis join the US–Israel–Iran conflict, set to strike the Red Sea with missiles
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The latest situation is unfolding in the Middle East on Friday (6 March 2026), amid the war between the United States (US) and Iran and Israel. In the latest AFP report, Yemen’s Houthi group has begun to react in support of Iran. Houthi leaders said the group was ready to strike at any time in a televised address on Thursday. Previously, American-Israeli strikes on Iran had occurred since 28 February, prompting Tehran to retaliate against Tel Aviv and several American military bases in Arab countries, including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
‘Regarding escalation and military actions, our finger is on the trigger,’ Abdul Malik al-Houthi said, quoted by AFP.
‘Ready to respond at any time if developments necessitate it.’
The emergence of the Houthis in the conflict is increasingly heightening concerns about the global economy. Citing Arab News, a source said the Houthis have instructed military attacks in the Red Sea to retaliate against Israel and the US.
While the Israel-Hamas war rages in Gaza, the Houthis have also attacked Israeli and Western activity in the Red Sea, disrupting shipping. It should be noted that these waters transport about 10-15% of global maritime trade, with around 30% of the world’s container traffic transiting there.
This statement is also not to be dismissed. The Houthi envoy to Iran, Mohammad Ramazani, also said that attacks would be mounted not only in the Red Sea but also Bab al-Mandab.
‘Solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran and the cherished Iranian people is an Islamic obligation and a moral duty for all Muslims, and in the interest of the Muslim world, because Iran is currently at war with the barbaric and America-led tyranny that targets the entire nation,’ al-Houthi said on another occasion.
‘We are fully prepared to face any developments as necessary, and there is no reason to worry about the Islamic Republic of Iran in confronting American-Israeli aggression,’ he added.
‘Iran is strong, its position firm, and its response decisive. Indeed, Iran is waging the entire struggle of the Muslim nations against American-Israeli-Zionist tyranny,’ he said.
The Red Sea is a vital route linking Asia and Europe via the Suez Canal. It is as important as the Strait of Hormuz—carrying 20% of the world’s oil and 25% of its gas—that Iran has now closed, and accounts for around 12% of total oil traded by sea.
Houthi attacks in the Red Sea following Israel’s attack on Gaza previously forced many ships to reroute via the Cape of Good Hope. This has added travel time by up to two weeks and significant fuel costs.
Reductions in traffic, container ships transiting the Red Sea were also reported to have fallen by as much as 67%, and LNG carriers have been halted since early 2024. The crisis has triggered surges in shipping and insurance costs, with container costs from Shanghai to Europe rising by more than threefold.