Saudi Arabia is seeking to build an international coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks, two people familiar with the deliberations said on Wednesday.
The composition of the coalition has yet to be finalized and remains under discussion with dozens of countries, the sources said.
The Saudi Center for International Communication did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Iran-aligned Houthis on July 20 declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, opening a new front against the US and its allies in the Iran war and expanding attacks on tankers carrying global energy and other supplies to waters beyond the Gulf.
Houthis considering charging commercial ships in Red Sea
Yemen's Houthi terror group is considering imposing fees on commercial ships sailing through the southern Red Sea, a week after declaring a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, regional sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.
The Houthis were looking into imposing fees on most traffic through the narrow Bab al-Mandab gateway, which links the southern Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, the sources said. No timeframe was given at this stage for implementation, they added.
The Houthis' media office did not respond to a request for comment.