Houthi blockade threat risks $100 oil for Asia

The Houthis have threatened to blockade Saudi oil shipments through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, potentially driving oil prices above $100 per barrel for Asian buyers. The threat, announced on Monday, is retaliation for Saudi Arabia's 12-year restrictions on Yemeni crossings, ports, and airports, as well as resource plundering. A full closure could disrupt 7.4 million barrels per day (7% of global output), per Kpler data. The Saudi-led coalition vowed to respond firmly and protect vessels. Analysts note that the Houthis have previously demonstrated capability to disrupt Red Sea shipping, though enforcement details remain unclear. The threat compounds uncertainty for Asian consumers already affected by slowed Hormuz shipping due to US-Iran tensions.