According to a Reuters report cited by Israeli media, senior Houthi officials traveled to Iran last month for the funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and discussed the possibility of imposing transit fees on vessels passing through the Bab el-Mandeb strait. The report states the scheme aims to normalize the concept of collecting fees at international waterways and increase pressure on the United States, and that Chinese vessels would be exempt.
The Houthi movement is reportedly advancing a new revenue scheme targeting international shipping at the Bab el-Mandeb strait, with discussions held in Iran last month.
According to a Reuters report cited by Israeli media, senior Houthi officials joined the funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran and used the visit to discuss with Iranian officials the imposition of transit fees on vessels passing through the strait. The report states that Houthi leaders aim to normalize the collection of fees at international waterways and increase economic pressure on the United States. Chinese-flagged ships would be exempt from the fees, according to the report — a move that highlights Beijing's favorable position within the Houthi-Iranian axis.
As The Zioneer reported earlier today, the Houthis were first reported to be considering such fees. The new details — including the Iran connection and the Chinese exemption — provide a clearer picture of the plan's scope. The report comes amid broader Iranian efforts to assert control over strategic maritime chokepoints, including the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has also sought to impose transit fees. The Bab el-Mandeb strait is a critical maritime corridor for Israeli trade and global shipping, and any fee regime would constitute a direct challenge to the principle of freedom of navigation.
No official response from the Houthi leadership or the United States has been reported yet.
3 developments
- DevelopingHouthis reportedly attack vessel in Red Sea; footage emerges
- DevelopingChina reportedly in talks with Houthis to secure Red Sea passage for its ships
- StrongHouthis complete preparations to attack vessels in southern Red Sea, deploy missiles and drones near Bab el-Mandeb
- DevelopingHouthis reportedly fire on Saudi vessel in Red Sea, analyst says
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
- Open-source intake