Iran-backed Houthi forces captured Mokha, Dhabab and Perim Island on Yemen’s Red Sea coast, tightening their position around the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital link between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. About 8.7% of global seaborne trade passes through the waterway, including significant volumes of containers, vehicles and oil. The advance compounds pressure on Saudi Arabia after a drone attack shut its East-West Pipeline, which carries oil toward the Red Sea and offers an alternative to the largely closed Strait of Hormuz. Oil rose above $100 a barrel and remained at its highest level since May. Iran-Gulf talks remained postponed amid disagreement over Hormuz, while the United States has resisted Saudi requests for direct military action beyond intelligence support. Trump said the Houthis had contacted Washington and were allowing most ships to pass.