Houthi Bab al-Mandab seizure praised by Iran adviser

An adviser to Iran's supreme leader praised a Houthi advance in Yemen as a “resounding victory” after the Tehran-backed fighters seized a key island in the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.

“Congratulations on this resounding victory, Ansar Allah,” Mohammad Mokhber wrote on X on Friday, using the Houthis' formal name.

The comment came as the Houthis have advanced around Yemen's Red Sea coast, including the seizure of Mocha and movement toward the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The waterway links Asia to Europe through the Suez Canal.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan discussed “the escalation of tensions and the growing insecurity in the region” by phone on Thursday evening, Tehran's foreign ministry said. The ministry said they stressed continued cooperation and diplomacy to prevent tensions spreading and restore stability, but its readout did not specifically mention Yemen.

Riyadh has long supported Yemen's internationally recognised government. The Saudi-led coalition battling the Houthis said Wednesday that the group fired ballistic missiles and drones at several cities in southern Saudi Arabia. The Houthis have said Saudi Arabia has been carrying out airstrikes on them since they began their advance.