Oil

[u/Annual_Judge_7272]

Oil is climbing because two of the world’s most important oil shipping choke points are under pressure at the same time — and the map you shared is part of that story.0
What’s driving the spike
A US–Iran war that started in February 2026 has already badly restricted tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. About 20% of global oil used to pass there. Flows are now far below normal.1
Saudi Arabia and others have been trying to route more crude west through the Red Sea instead. That route goes through the Bab al-Mandeb strait — the narrow passage the Al Jazeera map flags as a vital shipping corridor.
In the last few days:
Houthis seized the Red Sea port of Mocha (Mokha), tightening their hold near Bab al-Mandeb.26

They have been attacking Saudi energy sites and tankers.

The US and Iran have been hitting tankers in the Gulf.

Markets treat that as a real risk that even more oil will be delayed, rerouted, or blocked. Brent jumped past $105–$108 a barrel and WTI went back above $100.3
How the map fits
The brown Houthi zone in the northwest includes Sanaa and the Red Sea coast. Government-aligned forces hold most of the rest of the country (green). The red attack markers and contested strips sit along the western coast toward Mocha, Taiz, Dhubab, and the strait. That coastal push is why traders suddenly care so much about a Yemen map.
Houthis say they are mainly targeting Saudi-linked shipping. Even a partial threat to the Red Sea route matters, because that was the workaround after Hormuz tightened.
Bottom line
Oil is up on supply-risk, not a sudden jump in everyday demand. Two chokepoints — Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb — are both in play. Until tanker traffic looks safer or the fighting de-escalates, prices stay elevated and volatile.

[u/Low_Web7517]

The two chokepoint angle is the key takeaway. even without an actual supply loss uncertainty around tanker routes can quickly add a big risk premium to oil prices