Saudi Arabia is exploring an offensive against Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen to secure the Bab el-Mandeb shipping route, Reuters reported, citing six people familiar with preparations. The operation could range from a limited coastal push to a broader campaign across Al-Bayda, Marib, Taiz and Al-Jawf, involving Saudi airstrikes and more than 100,000 Yemeni troops depending on its scale. The Houthis have advanced along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, captured the port of Mocha and moved toward strategic islands as the U.S.-Iran conflict disrupts the Strait of Hormuz and other regional routes. Washington is providing intelligence but no direct combat role, while Pakistan, Turkey and France have supplied or pledged support. The timing remains uncertain, ranging from within a week to after the U.S. midterm elections in early November.