Will US confront Iran? Analyst says it must to stop Houthi attacks on major oil shipping route

Threats to the flow of crude supplies have worsened in recent weeks with oil and petroleum products tankers among targets struck by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Foreign policy and international energy specialist Brenda Shaffer, a professor at the US Naval Postgraduate School, joined the podcast to discuss not only the latest developments in the Red Sea but how we got here. She spoke about the Houthi rebels' origins, their impact on global oil supplies and prices, and the US posture towards their sponsor – Iran. Stick around for Starr Spencer with the Market Minute, a look at near-term oil market drivers.   This podcast was produced by Jasmin Melvin and Kate Winston in Washington. Learn more about our guest speaker: Brenda Shaffer (@ProfBShaffer) Related coverage: US, UK sanction four top Houthi military officials involved in attacks on Red Sea shipping Conflict with Houthis likely to get worse before it gets better, experts say DOE eyes SPR purchases into summer driving season but door also appears open for drawdowns