Yemen has alleged that Houthi rebels, with support from Iran, are planning to introduce a system to charge fees on vessels passing through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Al-Eryani said the allegations are based on what he called newly obtained “confirmed intelligence,” which he claims shows Iran’s Revolutionary Guards are assisting in overseeing the initiative. He further alleged that experts and advisers from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are directly involved in developing both the technical and administrative structure of the proposed system. According to the minister, the plan also includes creating a dedicated body responsible for collecting transit payments from shipping companies and commercial vessels using the strategic waterway. The Houthis and Iranian authorities have not immediately responded to the allegations.