Iran has instructed Yemen’s Houthi movement to prepare to close the Red Sea’s Bab el-Mandeb Strait if the United States strikes Iranian power infrastructure, according to multiple sources. The request, conveyed to Houthi allies, underscores escalating tensions and risks further disrupting global energy supplies.
Houthi Preparations and Iranian Coordination
A source close to the Houthis confirmed that the group has deployed missiles and drones near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis are reportedly awaiting orders to begin attacks on shipping, with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) overseeing the decision.
Global Energy Implications
The potential closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would exacerbate the ongoing energy crisis, as the Strait of Hormuz is already disrupted. Combined disruptions to both routes—handling approximately 20% of global oil trade—could trigger supply chain stress, higher insurance premiums, and further volatility in oil prices. In June, around 7.4 million barrels of petroleum per day transited Bab el-Mandeb, up from 4.2 million the previous year.
U.S. and Regional Responses
The U.S. has reimposed a naval blockade on Iran, striking its coastal defenses and missile sites. Iran has framed the conflict as an "existential war" with the U.S., signaling broader retaliation. Analysts warn that Houthi attacks could draw international condemnation and potential strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
Economic and Strategic Context
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is vital for global trade, with 12-15% of maritime traffic passing through annually. Disruptions would impact not only oil and gas but also digital infrastructure, as fiber-optic cables linking Europe and Asia run beneath the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia has increasingly diverted crude exports through the Red Sea port of Yanbu, making the strait a critical alternative route.
Military and Diplomatic Tensions
The escalation follows a collapsed truce in June, reviving fears of full-scale conflict. Iran’s threat to shut down regional energy exports aligns with its broader strategy of leveraging proxy groups like the Houthis to counter U.S. pressure. Experts caution that further hostilities could trigger wider regional instability.