Exclusive: This small island off Yemen is now a strategic prize in the widening Iran war

Yemen's Perim Island, a remote speck in the Strait of Bab al-Mandab, has emerged as a pivotal battleground in the escalating Iran conflict. Once a coaling station for British ships bound for India, the island's strategic value has only grown as the conflict intensifies. The Huthi rebels, Iran's most influential proxy in the region, have begun a push to capture the town of Mocha, located about 50 miles north of Perim.

This move could grant them control over the narrow waterway, potentially blocking ships from passing through and impacting global energy supplies. Despite the island's seemingly untouched landscape, its position at the strait's narrowest point has made it a coveted prize for empires throughout history. The CNN crew, granted exclusive access to the island, witnessed Yemeni troops preparing for the impending conflict, with officers still clad in their outmoded military attire.

Regional sources revealed that the Huthis are making significant strides towards seizing Perim, a development that could escalate the already tense situation between the United States and Iran. Tarik Saleh, a prominent Yemeni official, warned that the Huthis' acquisition of Perim could necessitate a massive international intervention to restore order.