Iran Threatens Closure of Bab al-Mandeb Strait: Global Trade Implications A senior Iranian official has warned that the country’s allies could block the Bab al-Mandeb shipping route, drawing parallels to the earlier closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The threat, issued by Ali Akbar Velayati—a former Iranian foreign minister and influential figure within the regime—comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. Velayati’s statement on X emphasized that the “unified command of the Resistance front” views the Bab al-Mandeb as strategically vital, akin to Hormuz, and warned that disrupting global energy and trade flows could be a direct consequence of U.S. actions. The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a narrow waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is a critical artery for global commerce. Its strategic importance has surged since Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz in 2024, which blocked 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas shipments during peacetime. The Bab al-Mandeb, now a focal point, serves as a lifeline for Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states exporting crude oil and refined products to Asia, Europe, and beyond. With the Hormuz closure, the strait’s role has expanded, as Saudi Arabia increasingly relies on its Red Sea port of Yanbu to ship oil via the East West Pipeline, operated by Aramco. The strait’s significance is underscored by its role in global trade. Approximately 10 percent of the world’s cargo, including containers from China, India, and other Asian nations, transits through the Bab al-Mandeb to reach European markets. In 2024 alone, 4.1 billion barrels of crude oil and refined products passed through the strait, representing 5 percent of global oil trade.#iran #saudi_arabia #bab_al_mandeb_strait #houthi_rebels #ali_akbar_veylayati
Iran threatens to block the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint for global oil trade, if the United States attacks Kharg Island, according to recent statements from Iranian officials. The strait, often referred to as the "Gate of Tears," is a vital passage for 12% of the world's crude oil shipments, making it a strategic asset in the region. Iran has warned that any military action targeting Kharg Island, a key hub for oil exports, would trigger a response that could disrupt the flow of oil through the strait. This threat comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, with the Strait of Hormuz already under scrutiny for its role in global energy supply. Earlier this year, Iran had already demonstrated its ability to block the Hormuz Strait, a critical route for about a fifth of the world's oil, by deploying naval forces to disrupt shipping. The move highlighted Iran's capacity to challenge Western dominance in the region and assert control over key maritime corridors. The potential conflict over Kharg Island underscores the broader geopolitical stakes in the area. The island, located in the Persian Gulf, is home to one of Iran's largest oil terminals and serves as a critical link in the country's energy infrastructure. A U.S. attack on the island would not only threaten Iran's economic interests but also risk triggering a wider confrontation that could have global repercussions. Iran's warning to block the Bab al-Mandeb Strait adds another layer of complexity to the situation. By threatening to disrupt a different but equally vital shipping route, Tehran is signaling its willingness to escalate tensions beyond the immediate conflict over Kharg Island. The strait connects the Red Sea to the Arabian Sea, making it a lifeline for trade between Asia, Africa, and Europe.#iran #united_states #strait_of_hormuz #kharg_island #bab_al_mandeb_strait
Yemen’s Ansarullah Movement Signals War Entry, Targets Bab al-Mandeb Strait To Pressure US, Israel Yemen’s Ansarullah movement has signaled its readiness to escalate military operations in support of Iran, amid escalating tensions between the United States and Israel. According to reports, the group may target the strategically vital Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime route for global trade. Ansarullah has previously demonstrated its capability to disrupt shipping and attack vessels linked to Israel, with past missile strikes and naval actions significantly altering regional dynamics. The group’s potential involvement in a broader conflict raises concerns about the impact on global trade and international security. The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, located between Yemen and the Arabian Peninsula, serves as a key passage for oil tankers and commercial ships. Any disruption to this route could have far-reaching consequences for global energy markets and supply chains. Ansarullah’s past operations, including attacks on Israeli-linked vessels and the use of missile strikes to challenge regional powers, have already forced major shifts in the balance of power. Analysts warn that the group’s current actions could mark a turning point, potentially leading to a wider war that threatens to destabilize the Middle East and beyond. The movement’s alignment with Iran has been a point of contention for years, with Ansarullah positioning itself as a proxy force for Tehran. Its recent statements suggest a willingness to take more aggressive steps, possibly in response to U.S.-led military actions or Israeli operations in the region.#iran #united_states #israel #bab_al_mandeb_strait #yemen_ansarullah_movement
Potential Bab al-Mandeb Front Threatened if Enemy Provokes Southern Iran: Source A military source warned that Iran could open new fronts in the region if the enemy takes provocative actions in southern Iran, according to Tasnim News Agency. The source emphasized that Iran is closely monitoring enemy preparations and developments, stating that any attempt by the adversary to launch land operations in Iranian islands or inflict costs through naval movements in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman would result in unexpected countermeasures. The source highlighted that the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a critical global maritime route, is a strategic asset for Iran. They asserted that Tehran possesses both the will and capability to pose a credible threat to the strait, cautioning that the United States should avoid complicating its already precarious situation by adding another strategic challenge. The statement implied that any U.S. efforts to resolve issues in the Strait of Hormuz through misguided actions could inadvertently create additional problems. The military official concluded by stating that Iran is fully prepared to escalate tensions. They warned that if the enemy fails to learn from past mistakes, it could test Iran again, referencing the 2024 Israeli attack on the South Pars Gas Field in Asaluyeh. Iran responded with missile strikes that damaged Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, a key liquefied natural gas export hub. U.S. President Donald Trump later intervened, distancing Washington from Israel’s attack and vowing it would not occur again. The incident underscored the volatile dynamics between regional powers and the potential for military escalation in response to perceived provocations.#iran #qatar #tasnim_news_agency #south_pars_gas_field #bab_al_mandeb_strait
Iran War Oil Crisis: After Hormuz, Iran Threatens To Block Strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait Iran has warned that it will block the Bab al-Mandeb Strait—a critical waterway linking the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden—if the United States or Israel escalates the conflict by attacking its islands, including Kharg. This follows Tehran’s ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil typically flows. A disruption of the Bab al-Mandeb, which handles about 12% of global seaborne oil, could intensify the economic fallout of the Middle East crisis. Iranian state media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened to open “new fronts” to counter any attacks on its islands or naval movements in regional waters. The statement, cited by Tasnim News Agency, warned that such actions would not only fail to benefit the aggressors but would also “double their costs.” The strait’s strategic importance lies in its role as a gateway to the Suez Canal, making it a vital artery for global trade. The semi-official Fars News Agency added that Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen may join the conflict against U.S. and Israeli forces to help Tehran secure control of the Bab al-Mandeb. The Houthi group, which has previously disrupted Red Sea shipping by attacking vessels in retaliation for Israel’s actions in Gaza, is described as “fully prepared to play a skillful role” in the region. Iran has long supported the Houthis, leveraging their presence to challenge Western and Israeli influence. Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned that Tehran has intelligence suggesting enemies are planning to seize one of its islands, possibly Kharg, with assistance from a regional country.#iran #strait_of_hormuz #mohammad_bagher_ghalibaf #bab_al_mandeb_strait #houthi
