Yemen’s Ansar Allah group is reportedly collaborating with Iran to impose fees on ships transiting the Red Sea, according to a statement from Yemen’s internationally recognized government on Wednesday. The move aims to establish a new source of revenue for military activities and marks a significant escalation in regional tensions, following previous disruptions to maritime routes in the Gulf.
Information Minister Moammar al Eryani said the plan targets one of the world’s most strategic maritime corridors, which has become increasingly vital after Iranian threats and attacks curtailed energy exports via the Strait of Hormuz. The Red Sea serves as a crucial shipping lane for Saudi crude oil bound for international markets, heightening the potential impact of any disruption.
Eryani cited recently obtained intelligence indicating active involvement by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the effort. According to the minister, IRGC experts and advisers are tasked with designing both the technical and administrative aspects of the project. This includes setting up a specialized entity that would be responsible for collecting transit fees from commercial ships passing through the Red Sea.
The allegations reflect ongoing concerns about Iran’s expanding influence in various strategic waterways across the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz has previously been targeted by Iran through blockades and military threats, significantly affecting global energy supplies. Analysts view the potential imposition of fees in the Red Sea as an attempt to replicate this strategy and exert further control over maritime traffic in the region.
While Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthi movement, controls parts of Yemen including key coastal areas adjacent to the Red Sea, the internationally recognized government retains limited authority and has condemned any attempts to disrupt international shipping lanes. The Yemeni government framed the move as a dangerous provocation that undermines the stability of a critical global trade route.
The situation underscores the broader geopolitical rivalry in the Middle East, where proxy conflicts and maritime confrontations continue to threaten the security of vital transportation corridors. International actors have expressed concern over escalating tensions in the Red Sea, given its role as a conduit for commercial and energy shipments linking Asia, Europe, and Africa.