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