Why Houthi control of the ‘Gate of Tears’ may be Iran’s biggest victory yet — Live Feedhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/why-houthi-control-of-the-gate-of-tears-may-be-iran-s-biggest-victory-yetContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. Houthis Seize Strategic Island at Bab al-Mandab Straithttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/why-houthi-control-of-the-gate-of-tears-may-be-iran-s-biggest-victory-yethttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/why-houthi-control-of-the-gate-of-tears-may-be-iran-s-biggest-victory-yet#u72286Thu, 17 Sep 2026 06:25:59 +0000Houthi rebels have reached a strategic island at the mouth of the Bab al-Mandab strait, known as the Gate of Tears. This advance grants Iran-backed forces control over a vital maritime passage, providing Tehran with significant geopolitical leverage. The development forces Gulf states into difficult strategic choices as the Houthis strengthen their hold on Yemen's western coast. This control allows the group to threaten a key shipping lane used for global trade and energy transport.Why it mattersThe Bab al-Mandab is a narrow chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Iran supp