‘Divine triumph’: Iran celebrates Houthis’ capture of Yemen’s Red Sea coast

What the report says

Iranian officials and state-linked media have publicly praised the Houthis after the Yemeni group captured a string of Red Sea coastal cities and islands this week, including Mocha, giving it control over much of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline and close access to the Bab al-Mandeb strait. The Al Jazeera report says the gains have stirred commentary in Tehran because they may increase pressure on shipping through one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.

According to the article, senior figures including IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref framed the Houthi advances as evidence of resilience and resistance. Hardline Iranian newspapers also welcomed the developments, with some describing them as a setback for the US and Israel. The Houthis, who have fought Yemen’s Saudi-backed government since taking Sanaa in 2014, have recently tightened their hold on the western coastline after battlefield gains against fragmented rival forces.

The report notes that the Houthis have not formally announced a closure of Bab al-Mandeb. Their military spokesperson said navigation remained safe for most companies, except Saudi vessels, while a commander suggested coastal artillery could now be used against ships without relying on missiles or drones. Al Jazeera says Tehran has not publicly tied the Houthi advances to any imminent move against the United States, and the foreign ministry repeated its position that the Houthis make decisions independently. The broader context is that Red Sea and Gulf shipping have been central to regional tensions since the Gaza war and subsequent attacks on vessels and retaliatory strikes in Yemen.