Reuters, citing regional sources, reported that Yemen’s Houthis are reviewing a plan to collect fees from commercial vessels transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait; an action, according to these sources, that was raised after Saudi Arabia announced a naval blockade and could increase pressure on the United States.

According to these sources, the Houthis are considering charging fees to most ships that pass through Bab al-Mandab, the strategic passage between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, but no specific timeline has yet been set for implementing the plan. The Houthi media office did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

Two regional officials who were briefed by the Islamic Republic about the matter told Reuters that the Houthi officials, during their trip in Khordad to Iran to take part in ceremonies for the funeral of Ali Khamenei, discussed with officials of the Islamic Republic the collection of fees from ships transiting Bab al-Mandab. According to the sources, the aim of the plan is to normalize the collection of fees from international waterways and to increase pressure on the United States.