Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels took control of the strategic port city of Mokha on Thursday, according to Houthi and Yemeni officials, strengthening the group’s position near one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.

The takeover places the Houthis closer to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical waterway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

Mokha lies about 80 kilometers, or 50 miles, from the strait, through which approximately 12% of global trade typically passes.

Analysts say control of the port could provide Iran with another potential source of leverage in its conflict with the United States, particularly if the Houthis use their presence in Mokha to increase threats or attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

The development also raises concerns about the security of vessels navigating the region, where disruptions could have significant consequences for international trade and global supply chains.