Iran's New Chokehold? Houthis Seize Key Island, Threaten Oil Route

Yemen's Houthi forces have seized a key island near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The strait is a narrow waterway between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Millions of barrels of oil pass through it every day. The Houthis are backed by Iran. If they control the strait, Iran could gain a major advantage in its conflict with the United States. Iran could also reduce oil supplies through a second major corridor. That would push oil prices even higher. A Saudi pipeline was also attacked. The attack adds to fears that the region's oil supply is no longer safe.