Houthis seize Red Sea chokepoints as Saudi-U.S. pressure grows

Iran-backed Houthis captured the strategic Red Sea port of Mocha and the Mayyun/Perim island after Yemeni government forces pulled back, prompting Saudi pressure on Trump for direct action while the U.S. says it will provide intelligence and targeting support but will not deploy ground troops for now. The moves threaten key shipping lanes at Bab al-Mandab and raise concerns about broader regional escalation, as Washington weighs how to respond to Iran and its proxies.