Iran has instructed Yemen's Houthi movement to be ready to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the southern gateway to the Red Sea. This scenario is being considered in case the US strikes the energy infrastructure of the Islamic Republic. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
According to Reuters, citing three informed sources, Iran's leadership has already discussed the possibility of blocking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and sent a corresponding signal to its allies in Yemen. However, Tehran and Houthi representatives have not officially commented on this information.
A source close to the movement said the Houthis have completed preparations for possible attacks on commercial vessels. Missiles and drones have been deployed in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait area, and the fighters are only awaiting the order to begin the operation. According to him, the decision on a possible blockade will be coordinated by representatives of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stationed in Yemen.
Experts warn that closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could deal a serious blow to the global oil market. After Iran previously blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a significant portion of energy exports from Persian Gulf countries was redirected through the Red Sea.
Currently, about 7% of global energy supplies pass through this route. If the Houthis begin attacking ships or port infrastructure, two key maritime routes for Middle Eastern oil exports will be simultaneously threatened. During previous attacks, shipping companies were forced to reroute vessels around Africa, significantly increasing delivery times and transportation costs.
The situation in the region continues to deteriorate rapidly. This week, the Houthis fired missiles at Saudi Arabia, accusing the kingdom of striking an airport under their control. This was the first such incident after a four-year truce.
According to Reuters, Saudi authorities take threats from Iran seriously and believe that coordination between Tehran and the Houthis has noticeably strengthened.
Tensions between Iran and the US escalated after Israel and the United States struck the Islamic Republic's territory in late February. In response, Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of global energy supplies passed before the conflict.
On June 18, the US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding and began 60-day negotiations. However, even after signing the memorandum, the sides exchanged strikes several times, and from July 8, mutual attacks became almost continuous. Washington also reinstated oil sanctions against Iran and threatened a new blockade of ports.
If the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is blocked along with the Strait of Hormuz, the conflict could escalate to a new level, and the global energy sector could face even more serious upheavals, experts note.