Full report hereThe Iran-backed Houthis are reportedly considering charging commercial ships transit fees to pass through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The move comes one week after the group declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, further escalating tensions in the ongoing US-Iran conflict.According to Reuters sources, the proposal was discussed with Iranian officials during Houthi representatives' visit to Tehran in July. Iranian advisers are reportedly helping the Houthis establish an authority to regulate and collect the fees. Chinese vessels would reportedly be exempt under a separate arrangement, reflecting Beijing's direct engagement with the Houthis to safeguard its shipping.The initiative is intended to normalize the practice of charging for passage through strategic waterways while increasing pressure on the United States and its allies. However, Western and Gulf officials expect strong opposition, although they acknowledge that overstretched international naval forces currently have limited capacity to fully protect merchant shipping.The development also comes after Iran rejected Oman's proposal for joint regional management of the Strait of Hormuz, reducing hopes for easing disruptions to Gulf trade and energy markets. This article was written by Giuseppe Dellamotta at investinglive.com.