Rubio says the US is in contact with Saudi officials over the threat by Yemen’s Houthis to attack commercial vessels in the Bab al-Mandeb waterway in the Red Sea, according to Al Jazeera.

“We’ve been engaged with the Saudis a number of times over the last week in regards to that threat. It’s not a new threat, but it’s one that’s manifested itself in the past,” he told reporters.

“At the gist of that issue is the fact Iran is in the middle of it. Talking about the troublemaker in the region, it’s Iran.”