US lawmakers find rare common ground over Houthi threat

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Republicans and Democrats in the US Congress, deeply divided over President Donald Trump’s foreign policy and the war with Iran, appear to be finding rare common ground over the threat posed by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis to shipping in the Red Sea.

The Houthis have made significant gains along Yemen’s Red Sea coast in recent days, raising concerns over the security of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The escalation has also added pressure on global energy markets as disruption continues in the Strait of Hormuz.

Democratic lawmakers have described the Houthis as a threat to US interests and linked the escalating tensions to rising fuel prices, while calling for a combination of military and diplomatic measures.

“I think that what the Houthis are doing are just making us less safe. They're driving up the cost of gas… We have to be doing whatever we can to address the challenges they're now posing. We are now less safe. Gas prices are rising even more. And so we have to be at the table both militarily but also diplomatically to find a solution there,” Democratic Congressman Johnny Olszewski told Rudaw’s Diyar Kurda. 

Democrats, however, remain critical of Trump’s broader approach to Iran, arguing that Washington should have pursued diplomacy with Tehran rather than going to war.

“It's hard to negotiate with terrorists. I think Iran has been funding a lot of this effort. And instead of working diplomatically with Iran to end this funding, we took an ill-advised action of a war not authorized by Congress. And I think we have not learned our lesson about the reality of what happens overseas. So I don't think we're doing well with that,” Democratic Congressman Scott Peters said.

Republicans have also portrayed the Houthis as a threat and emphasized the group’s ties to Tehran.

“I think the American government will protect our interests wherever they are attacked. And I wish Saudi Arabia the best in dealing with the Houthis. And look, they're being attacked by Iran. The Houthis are Iran, and Saudi Arabia needs to understand that,” Republican Congressman Randy Fine said.

The Houthis are backed by Iran, though the extent of Tehran’s control over the group has long been debated. The movement has expanded its position along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and stepped up attacks on Saudi targets in recent weeks.

Despite concerns in Congress, the Trump administration has so far stopped short of launching a new military campaign against the Houthis.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly sought direct US military assistance against the group, but Trump declined to authorize US strikes, with Washington instead providing intelligence and targeting support to Riyadh.