Houthis threaten Saudi ports in the Red Sea
The conflict in the Middle East could enter a new phase after Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement announced plans to prevent commercial vessels from loading or unloading cargo at Saudi ports on the Red Sea.
If implemented, the blockade could disrupt Saudi oil exports, potentially affecting around 7% of global oil supplies and creating renewed volatility in international energy markets.
The move would also deepen regional tensions between Iran's allies and the United States while threatening one of the world's most important maritime trade routes.
Trump signals readiness to respond
US President Donald Trump said Washington would respond if the Houthis interfere with shipping in the Red Sea.
"If something like that happens, we'll take care of it. We've done that with the Houthis before," Trump told reporters.
His remarks come as the United States is already heavily engaged in countering Iranian military activity across the Middle East, making any additional military campaign significantly more complex.
Military analysts say a renewed operation against the Houthis would require substantial naval and air resources.
A second front could strain US military resources
According to current and former US defense officials, opening a new front in Yemen would place additional pressure on American forces already committed to operations involving Iran and the enforcement of maritime restrictions in the Persian Gulf.
Experts believe the Pentagon could be forced to redeploy warships from the Gulf toward the Red Sea to protect commercial shipping and intercept Houthi missiles and drones.
Such a shift would divide US military assets across two active operational theaters.
The Houthis remain a resilient military force
The Houthi movement has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to survive years of military campaigns conducted by the Saudi-led coalition and later by the United States.
Despite extensive air strikes, the group continues to control large parts of Yemen and retains the capability to threaten shipping in the Red Sea and the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Former US defense officials say the Houthis have repeatedly shown both the willingness and the capability to disrupt maritime traffic.
High operational costs for Washington
Previous US military operations against the Houthis required aircraft carriers, destroyers, fighter aircraft and strategic bombers.
Analysts warn that another prolonged campaign could further deplete American stocks of precision-guided weapons and air-defense interceptors already being used in operations involving Iran.
Extended deployments would also increase pressure on personnel and delay maintenance schedules for naval vessels.
US maintains a massive military presence in the region
The United States currently has more than twenty Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft deployed across the Middle East, with additional forces moving into the region.
A second military campaign near Yemen would require even more naval assets, intelligence resources and air-defense systems, increasing logistical and operational demands.
Experts believe Washington retains overwhelming military superiority but acknowledge that simultaneous conflicts would significantly raise costs and stretch available resources.
Iran remains the key supplier
Analysts also note that the Houthis depend heavily on Iranian military support for missiles, drones and other advanced capabilities.
The ongoing US blockade targeting Iran could limit Tehran's ability to resupply the Yemeni group over time.
According to security experts, this could eventually reduce the Houthis' capacity to sustain a prolonged maritime campaign despite their proven resilience.