Hundreds of IRGC officers in Yemen, Houthi control of Mokha and moves on Bab el-Mandeb heighten risks to Red Sea trade and global energy supplies

Iran's grip on the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes over the past few months has massively increased its leverage in the ongoing conflict with the US.

The Bab el-Mandeb's importance to global oil supplies has grown since shipping through the nearby Strait of Hormuz has been impeded by Iran.