Tehran:Â The tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate as Tehran has reportedly sought the support of Yemen’s Houthi movement to threaten another critical global shipping route. According to official media reports, Iran has asked the Iran-backed Houthis to be ready to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a strategic gateway linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. This request has reportedly been conveyed to the group, with sources saying the Houthis have already been informed of Tehran’s plans. The move comes after both Iran and the United States reinstated separate blockades targeting each other’s maritime activities, further intensifying the regional standoff.
US-Iran Conflict Latest News: How are the Houthis preparing to disrupt global shipping?
Although the Houthis have not formally entered the conflict, unlike Lebanon’s Hezbollah, the Yemeni group remains on standby as part of Iran’s broader “Axis of Resistance.” Sources close to the group told Reuters that missiles and drones have been deployed near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, signalling readiness for possible action. A regional source familiar with the developments claimed that shutting the route would not require advanced weaponry, stating, “Anybody with a firing rifle can interrupt the shipping. You don’t have to have sophisticated missiles to interrupt the shipping.” The Houthis have previously demonstrated this capability during the Israel-Gaza war, when repeated attacks on commercial vessels forced shipping companies to reroute cargo around the Cape of Good Hope, significantly increasing costs and transit times.
Why is the Red Sea route becoming increasingly important?
The Bab al-Mandab Strait has gained strategic importance as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to threaten global energy supplies. Around seven per cent of the world’s energy shipments have already been redirected through the Red Sea, while Saudi Arabia has increasingly relied on its Yanbu port on the Red Sea coast, diverting nearly 70 per cent of its energy exports through the route following attacks linked to Iran. Any disruption at Bab al-Mandab could therefore affect two of the world’s most critical oil export corridors simultaneously, raising concerns over energy security and global shipping.
What is the current situation in the US-Iran conflict?
As of now, the conflict between the countries seems to be highly volatile, with continuing military and economic pressure against each other. Iran continues to threaten international shipping around the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States has expanded naval operations to safeguard commercial vessels and restrict Iranian maritime activities. The reported mobilisation of the Houthis has heightened fears that the confrontation could spread beyond the Persian Gulf into the Red Sea. If attacks begin in Bab al-Mandab while tensions persist in Hormuz, global trade, energy markets and regional security could face an even deeper crisis, increasing the risk of a broader conflict across West Asia.
US-Iran Conflict Latest News:Â Key Terms to Understand
Bab al-Mandab Strait
A narrow sea passage between Yemen and Djibouti/Eritrea that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. It is one of the world’s busiest shipping routes for oil, gas and international trade.
Strait of Hormuz
A strategic waterway between Iran and Oman that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through this route, making it crucial to global energy supplies.
Houthis
An armed political and militant group based in Yemen. Backed by Iran, the Houthis have carried out missile and drone attacks on ships in the Red Sea and are part of Iran’s regional alliance known as the “Axis of Resistance.”
Axis of Resistance
A network of Iran-backed armed groups and allies across the Middle East, including the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and several militias in Iraq and Syria. The alliance opposes the United States and Israel and often coordinates regional military actions.
Blockade
A military strategy used to restrict or stop the movement of ships, goods, or supplies into or out of a particular area. At sea, a blockade can disrupt trade, limit access to ports, and affect global supply chains.
