Trump Issues Stark Warning as Houthis Threaten Maritime Security

WHO:

Fox News - President Trump issued a warning regarding the Houthis.

CNBC - The Houthis are Iran's allies in Yemen.

CNN - The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) is a maritime security group led by the U.S. Navy.

WHAT:

Fox News - The Houthis have been instructed by Iran to prepare to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

CNBC - The Houthis have completed preparations to attack ships in the southern Red Sea, deploying missiles and drones.

CNBC - The Houthis declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, threatening to cut off the kingdom's oil exports.

CNBC - Exports from the Yanbu terminal through the Bab el-Mandeb surged to 3.5 million barrels per day in June.

CNN - Oil prices surged more than $20 a barrel after renewed conflict in the Middle East.

CNN - A full blockade of Bab al-Mandeb could increase oil prices by $5 to $10 a barrel.

WHERE:

Fox News - The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.

CNBC - The JMIC is headquartered in Bahrain.

CNN - The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is located between Saudi Arabia and Djibouti.

WHEN:

CNBC - The Houthis declared the maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia on a Monday.

CNBC - Exports from the Yanbu terminal surged to 3.5 million barrels per day in June compared to 240,000 bpd in the same period last year.

CNN - The announcement of the Houthi blockade occurred on a Tuesday.

WHY:

CNBC - The Houthis threatened to cut off Saudi oil exports as part of their ongoing conflict with Saudi Arabia and Iran.

CNN - An effective Houthi blockade of Bab al-Mandeb could create a new front in the war with Iran.

HOW:

CNN - The Houthis broadcasted warnings to Saudi vessels to avoid the Red Sea.

CNN - Five tankers made U-turns after the Houthi announcement, carrying 3.8 million barrels of crude oil, gasoil, and naphtha.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 16:25 UTC)

President Trump has issued a warning about the Houthis, who are Iran's allies in Yemen, as they prepare to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime route connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis have completed preparations to attack ships in the southern Red Sea and declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, threatening to cut off the kingdom's oil exports, which surged to 3.5 million barrels per day in June. Following these developments, oil prices have already surged more than $20 a barrel, and a full blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb could push prices up by an additional $5 to $10 a barrel.