Houthis Reach Perim Island as Saudi Oil Pipeline Shuts Down

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement reached the strategic island of Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Friday, according to four Yemeni government sources, tightening its grip on a vital global shipping route. Two sources from the Saudi-backed internationally recognised Yemeni government said its forces had withdrawn from Perim, and that the Houthis had also captured the mainland Red Sea coastal town of Dhubab, which faces the island.

The advance follows a lightning Houthi offensive this week along Yemen's Red Sea coastline. On Thursday, the group took the coastal city of Mocha and the Red Sea islands of Hanish. Yemeni government forces indicated they would attempt to retake the captured areas, announcing they would deploy weapons and aircraft to eliminate any movement of what they called "terrorist" Houthi militias in strategic areas, including the road leading to Mocha.

If the Houthis consolidate control over Bab el-Mandeb, their backer Iran could gain a critical advantage in its war with the United States, reducing supplies through a second major corridor and further raising oil prices. The conflict began six months ago with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade, was effectively closed, prompting Saudi Arabia to rely on the Red Sea route.

Separately, Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline was temporarily shut down after a drone attack originating from Iraq, state media reported, citing a source at the Saudi energy ministry. The 1,200-kilometre pipeline is the key alternative route for Saudi oil to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, shipping 4 million to 5 million barrels per day in recent months, or 4% to 5% of global supply, according to ship tracking companies and analysts. The attack caused some injuries and damage that was being assessed, the Saudi foreign ministry said, without detailing the impact on exports.

Saudi Arabia has opted against retaliation so far following a request from Iraq's prime minister, the Saudi foreign ministry said, adding that the kingdom reserves the right to "take all measures necessary" to protect its interests. Iraq's government condemned the attacks. It remained unclear who carried out the strike; Saudi Arabia said only that the drones came from Iraq, which is home to Iranian-backed militias.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called U.S. President Donald Trump at least twice on Thursday to request military help against the Houthis, two sources familiar with the matter said. Washington told Riyadh it was not willing to take direct military action for now but would assist with intelligence sharing and targeting, the sources said. The White House did not address questions on the calls, but a senior administration official said Washington was in continuous dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government.

Saudi crude supply fell to its lowest levels in more than three decades, the International Energy Agency said on Friday, partly due to attacks on ships transiting Bab el-Mandeb by Houthi-linked groups. Oil prices dipped on Friday but were on track to end the week above $100 a barrel for the first time since mid-May.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said maritime navigation remained safe for all shipping except Saudi vessels subject to a previously announced ban. In a speech marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Trump called Iran "the world's number one sponsor of terror". Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded by saying the accusation came from "the same devils" responsible for an apparent U.S. strike on a school at the start of the conflict in February that Iran said killed more than 175 children and teachers.