Iran has warned that Yemen’s Houthi movement could shut down the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb Strait if the United States launches attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes, connecting shipping traffic to the Indian Ocean through the Suez Canal.
Iran has previously warned that key international waterways could be disrupted if the conflict with the United States continues to escalate.
According to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), if Washington does not halt its military operations, Iran will seek to block all routes that benefit the United States and its allies. The Houthis have also warned that they could close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in response to further US attacks.
Analysts say any disruption to shipping through the waterway could have a significant impact on global energy markets. Some have warned that crude oil prices could surge to as much as $200 per barrel if major shipping lanes are blocked.
The latest warning comes as renewed fighting between the United States and Iran continues to intensify. The current round of hostilities resumed on July 8, after the United States launched strikes against Iran, saying the attacks were intended to curb Tehran’s ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
US forces have carried out multiple rounds of strikes across Iran in recent days, while Iranian officials say several military personnel have been killed in the attacks, including seven members of the country’s armed forces.
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