Saudi strikes target Houthi-held Yemen airport as rebels advance on Red Sea

The Saudi military struck the Mokha airport on Friday following the Houthis' entry into the key Red Sea port city, according to Iranian state media. The rebel group's capture of Mokha, which overlooks vital tanker routes exiting the Red Sea, represents a significant tactical gain and brings the insurgents closer to the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait—a chokepoint through which much of the world's maritime trade passes.

The advancement has renewed concerns over regional shipping security and commercial routes already under pressure from ongoing regional tensions. Mokha's location makes it particularly valuable for controlling access to one of the world's most critical maritime corridors, serving as an alternative passage to the Strait of Hormuz for energy shipments.

Iran's government has responded by calling for an end to Saudi Arabia's blockade of Yemen and renewed negotiations between the kingdom and the Houthis. The Iranian Foreign Ministry's statement marks the first official reaction since the rebels' entry into Mokha, underscoring Tehran's support for its Houthi allies.

Analysts warn that the rebels' control of Mokha could strengthen Iran's broader regional strategy of applying pressure on global energy markets. The development also raises the prospect of escalating conflict, as Saudi Arabia faces pressure to respond to the rebels' territorial gains after more than six months of military operations in the region.