Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized the strategic Yemeni island of Mayun on Friday, a day after taking control of the Red Sea port city of Mokha, raising fresh concerns over security along one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.

The developments came as Iran called on Saudi Arabia to end its blockade of Yemen and immediately resume negotiations with the Houthis. Elsewhere, AI company Anthropic said it had blocked users in Houthi-controlled northern Yemen over suspected attempts to develop advanced weapons using its AI models.

Houthis Advance To Strategic Mayun Island

Mayun is located at the entrance to the Red Sea and occupies a strategically important position near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a major shipping route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

The island is also an important alternative route for Saudi oil and other exports, particularly as Iran has targeted vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

A senior military official from Yemen’s internationally recognised government and a Houthi official confirmed the island’s capture. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly.

The takeover followed the Houthis’ capture of Mokha, a key port city on Yemen’s Red Sea coast, a day earlier.

Saudi Arabia Responds With Airstrikes

Saudi Arabia responded to the latest Houthi advances with airstrikes on the airport in Mokha, according to a Houthi broadcaster.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the strikes.

Around 12 per cent of the world’s goods are normally transported through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, making control and security along Yemen’s western coastline a matter of international concern.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a statement on Friday that “maritime navigation is safe for all companies except for Saudi vessels”.

Iran Calls For End To Yemen Blockade

Iran’s Foreign Ministry backed the Houthis’ position, calling on Saudi Arabia to end its blockade of Yemen and return to negotiations with the rebel group without delay.

The Iran-backed Houthis control northern Yemen and have for years faced accusations of smuggling and receiving advanced weapons despite a blockade and a UN arms embargo.

Iran has repeatedly denied arming the Houthis.

Anthropic Blocks Suspected Weapons Development Activity

In a separate development, AI company Anthropic said it had identified and banned users in Houthi-held northern Yemen who were allegedly using its AI models for weapons-related development.

The company said the users were, in some cases, accessing its technology through commercially available smartphones.

According to Anthropic, its models were used in work connected to precision long-range ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

The accounts used Claude Code to develop software that “steers and stabilises a flying vehicle”, the company said.

Anthropic said the users were also working on weapons including a guided rocket that could allow mobile phone users to autonomously track targets.

The company said it had found no evidence that the users had successfully fielded a weapon.

Iran Plans Regional Talks On Strait Of Hormuz

Iran said it would meet neighbouring Gulf countries in Oman on Monday to discuss maritime shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the regional meeting would include Iran and other Persian Gulf countries, including Oman and Iraq.

The discussions are expected to cover earlier talks between Tehran and Muscat on managing shipping through the strategically vital waterway.

Iran and Oman are located on opposite sides of the Strait of Hormuz and have previously discussed arrangements related to maritime traffic through the passage.

Before the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, about one-fifth of the world’s traded oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz.

Shipping through the waterway has since been heavily disrupted amid the Iran war, with Tehran retaliating against neighbouring Gulf countries that host US military forces.

Israel Reports Hezbollah Tunnel Destruction

In southern Lebanon, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had completed the destruction of tunnels along the Ali Taher ridge, which he said Hezbollah had built with Iranian funding.

The area has witnessed clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah in recent weeks.

Residents in nearby areas reported loud explosions and ground shaking on Thursday. Hezbollah did not immediately comment on the Israeli claim.

Israeli forces also continued demolishing houses in villages under their control in southern Lebanon.

Residents displaced from the coastal village of Mansouri watched from a distance on Friday as Israeli drones carried boxes of explosives that were dropped on their homes.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Israeli Strike Kills Man In Gaza

In Gaza, an Israeli strike on Friday killed a man walking on a street in Khan Younis and wounded several others, including children, according to Nasser Hospital.

The Israeli military said it had targeted a Hamas member.

Funeral prayers were also held for two of the three men killed in Khan Younis on Thursday.

One of those killed, Mohammad Yazouri, was identified by the Israeli military as a Hamas commander.

Regional Flashpoints Continue To Expand

Friday’s developments reflected widening tensions across the Middle East, with the Houthis extending their control over strategic locations in Yemen while maritime security concerns continued to grow around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz.

At the same time, Iran has pushed for regional discussions over shipping, Anthropic has raised concerns over suspected weapons-related use of AI technology in northern Yemen, and Israel has continued military operations in both Lebanon and Gaza.

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