Houthis Seize Bab al-Mandab Strait; Iran's President in India for BRICS Summit

Houthi forces completed their takeover of the Bab al-Mandab strait on Friday, deploying to the strategic island of Perim in the center of the waterway. This Iranian-backed group now controls a vital route for Saudi oil exports, a passage that has gained significance for Riyadh since Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz during the US-Iran conflict. Houthi official Hazam al-Asad stated that there is no need for international concern regarding navigation freedom in Bab al-Mandab. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia conducted two airstrikes on the al-Mokha airport in Yemen, according to Houthi-affiliated al-Masirah TV, following the group's seizure of the Red Sea city. Axios reported that US President Donald Trump rejected a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to conduct strikes against the Houthis. Iran's Supreme Leader advisor Mohammad Mokhber praised the Houthi advance as a "resounding victory." Recent fighting in Yemen has resulted in over 500 deaths, primarily combatants, and displaced at least 46,000 people, according to the International Organization for Migration.

In New Delhi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described the pressure on Tehran as reaching a "critical and dangerous stage" and noted the world is experiencing unprecedented complexity. Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin are in India to attend talks ahead of the BRICS summit, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Putin to discuss trade, energy, and defense.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry announced that its minister discussed the Strait of Hormuz with his Iranian counterpart, following South Korea's consideration of contributing to the waterway's security. Israel has threatened further strikes after destroying Hezbollah tunnels in southern Lebanon.

In the US, New York marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. In Ukraine, two people were killed and four injured by a Russian drone strike on a Kyiv gas station. Russia claimed to have shot down 777 Ukrainian drones over 15 Russian regions and Crimea, also resulting in two fatalities. The maritime risk assessment firm Ambrey reported a more than twofold increase in the discovery of war-related objects in the Black Sea over the past six months, coinciding with escalating drone attacks between Russia and Ukraine.

The International Energy Agency has again lowered its global oil demand forecast for 2026, citing the ongoing conflicts and sharp increases in fuel prices, particularly diesel. Diesel prices in the US surpassed a new record, exceeding $6 per gallon due to the war with Iran, rising crude oil prices, and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries.

Nepal's Foreign Ministry estimates reconstruction costs from last month's devastating glacial flood in a mountainous region will reach approximately $4.78 billion. Myanmar's authorities closed Mandalay Airport for two days starting Friday, after the military-backed government accused pro-democracy rebels of attacking the airport with drones.