Houthi rebels in Yemen have seized the strategically important Greater and Lesser Hanish islands in the southern Red Sea, strengthening their position along a major international shipping route and adding pressure on Saudi Arabia’s alternative route for crude oil exports.

The development came as repairs to a major Saudi oil pipeline damaged in an attack on September 10 were estimated to take three to five weeks, according to two regional officials. The developments have added to wider regional tensions involving the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear programme, the war in Yemen and the conflict in Gaza.

Houthis Expand Position Along Red Sea Route

Houthi officials said on Monday that the group had taken control of the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands as Saudi-backed government forces attempted to regain territory following recent Houthi advances near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The Bab el-Mandeb is a crucial maritime passage and an important alternative to the Strait of Hormuz. Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz in the opening days of the war, after which Saudi Arabia began relying on the Bab el-Mandeb route to move crude exports from its Red Sea coast.

The Hanish islands are the latest strategic positions captured by the Houthis after the group seized the Red Sea port of Mokha and another important island last week.

The expanding Houthi presence could put further pressure on Saudi shipments and contribute to concerns over global oil supplies and prices.

The developments could also provide Iran with additional leverage in its conflict with the United States.

China, a major importer of Middle Eastern oil, described the Houthi attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure as “unacceptable” and said it was “deeply concerned” about the possibility of further escalation.

Saudi Pipeline Repairs Could Take Weeks

Saudi Arabia relies on its East-West Pipeline to transport crude from Gulf ports to terminals along its Red Sea coast, where the oil can be loaded onto tankers for export.

Two regional officials briefed on the damage said repairs to the pipeline, including a major pumping facility, could take three to five weeks.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly.

One of them said the pipeline could operate at only partial capacity while repair work is carried out.

The disruption is particularly significant because the pipeline provides Saudi Arabia with an alternative route for moving crude at a time when shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains under pressure.

Iran Says Saudi Arabia Sought Hormuz Meeting Delay

Iran said Saudi Arabia had sought the postponement of a planned meeting involving Iran and other regional countries on the security of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Monday that Saudi Arabia had “demanded” that the meeting be dropped “for the time being”.

The meeting was due to be hosted by Oman. Baghaei described it as a “proper opportunity” to work towards restoring security in the region.

He also said Iran and Oman had finalised an agreement concerning the Strait of Hormuz and that details would be announced later.

A Gulf official familiar with the matter said Saudi Arabia had proposed amendments to the agreement because of concerns that it could have long-term implications for the strait and potentially affect other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Iran Condemns Austrian Visa Decision

Iran also criticised Austria for refusing visas to its nuclear chief and other members of its delegation who were due to attend the International Atomic Energy Agency’s general conference in Vienna.

Baghaei described the decision as “completely unjustified” and said Tehran had summoned Austria’s charge d’affaires over the issue.

He argued that Austria, as the host country, was obliged to issue the visas and accused Western countries of preventing Iran from defending its position.

Baghaei also alleged that the United States had pressured Austria to reject the applications.

The visa restrictions form part of UN sanctions on Iran that were reinstated last year and include a travel ban on Iranian officials.

US Presses Iran Over Nuclear Inspections

At the same conference, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright criticised Iran for failing to cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog.

Wright was particularly critical of Tehran’s refusal to allow inspectors access to nuclear sites affected by the war.

Iran had “ample time to address its egregious negligence” towards its obligations, Wright said, adding, “but that time is up”.

Wright also said additional safeguards included in the US-Saudi nuclear agreement signed in July contained “absolutely rigorous” anti-proliferation provisions.

He said the IAEA “was part of it all along”.

Wright was responding to a question about why Washington had asked Iran, but not Saudi Arabia, to sign an Additional Protocol, which gives IAEA inspectors wider access to nuclear facilities.

The US-Saudi agreement could potentially allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium for its civilian nuclear programme.

Yemen Displacement Surges As Fighting Intensifies

The humanitarian situation in Yemen has also deteriorated as fighting between Houthi rebels and government forces has intensified.

The International Organisation for Migration said nearly 94,000 people had been displaced since the beginning of September.

Taiz and Lahj have been the worst-affected areas, accounting for around 48,000 displaced people.

The agency also reported that more than 2,000 people had fled Yemen by sea for Djibouti.

The International Rescue Committee said around 200 schools in south-western Yemen had been converted into shelters for displaced families.

Israeli Strikes Kill Two In Gaza

In Gaza, Israeli strikes across the territory on Monday killed two people and wounded several others, according to hospital officials and the health ministry.

One person was killed in Gaza City, while another died after a strike hit tents in Muwasi, according to Shifa and Nasser hospitals.

The health ministry said others were wounded in Zawaida in central Gaza and Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

The Israeli military confirmed the strikes and said they had targeted militants.

US Sanctions Russian Bank Over Iran Links

The US Treasury Department on Monday imposed full sanctions on VTB Bank, one of Russia’s largest financial institutions, as part of efforts to target what Washington described as Iran’s remaining financial lifelines.

The immediate impact of the move remains unclear because the Biden administration had already imposed sweeping sanctions on the state-owned bank following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Under Trump, US officials are now accusing VTB of helping Iran evade sanctions by establishing correspondent banking ties with sanctioned Iranian banks.

VTB has expanded its international operations in recent years, including by opening branches in China, India and Iran.

The latest developments have brought together Houthi advances in the Red Sea, damage to Saudi oil infrastructure, renewed disagreement over the Strait of Hormuz, disputes over nuclear inspections, displacement in Yemen, Israeli strikes in Gaza and new US sanctions linked to Iran.

Together, they underscore the widening security and economic pressures across the region, with disruptions to key energy and shipping routes adding to the risks facing global oil supplies.

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