(NewsNation) — Retired U.S. Navy SEAL Robert Harward, a former deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, laid out potential options now that Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen have created a choke point in the Red Sea.

The capture of Perim Island located in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait (the Gate of Tears Strait) has made the war take on two fronts. The location of the island is crucial to controlling ship passage through the strait. The capture allows for the Houthis to be able to attack ships on both sides of the channels.

The island gives the Houthi's a line of sight on all targets, Harward said on "On Balance."

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"All their weapons can range," he said. "Extra-small weapons can threaten those ships now, and it's very easy to put mines in from there. So, they can put a whole arsenal of weapons against every ship, and they can see them day and night. So, it's a big problem."

Harward believes that an immediate response is necessary and that it could potentially involve boots on the ground.

"They're not as well armed as the Iranians, so maybe this is an option," he said. "Not U.S., maybe Emirati, even Saudi. So, I believe in this case they need to bring the coalition together and act quickly to address this threat."

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