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
US-Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates Amid Regional Diplomatic Efforts The Middle East has seen a dramatic escalation in hostilities as the United States, Israel, and Iran continue their military confrontations, with regional powers like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan attempting to mediate the crisis. The conflict, which began on February 28, 2026, with US-Israeli strikes on Iran that killed its supreme leader, has expanded to involve Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels and raised global concerns over energy markets and trade routes. Iran confirmed on March 29, 2026, that its Revolutionary Guards commander, Alireza Tangsiri, had been killed in an Israeli air strike, marking another significant loss in the ongoing conflict. The attack, which occurred days after Israel claimed to have targeted Tangsiri, intensified fears of further retaliation. Iran’s state media reported that the strike left Tangsiri with severe injuries, while Israeli forces continued their aerial campaigns against Iranian military and infrastructure targets. The war has already claimed over 3,000 lives, with casualties stretching across Iran, Israel, and Gulf Arab states. On March 29, Iranian missile shrapnel struck a major industrial facility in Neot Hovav, a chemical plant hub in southern Israel, triggering a hazardous materials incident and prompting evacuations. The attack, which injured at least one person, highlighted the growing risk of collateral damage in the region. Meanwhile, Iran accused the United States of secretly planning a ground invasion despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, alleged that Washington was using negotiations as a cover for military operations, citing the arrival of a US warship with 3,500 troops in the Middle East.#us #iran #israel #saudi_arabia #houthi_rebels
Houthi rebels confirm missile strike on Israel as conflict escalates Yemen’s Houthi rebels have launched a missile at Israel, marking the first direct involvement of the Iran-backed group in the ongoing war. The attack, confirmed by the rebels, was intercepted by Israeli forces in the early hours of Saturday, according to reports. This development signals a significant escalation in the conflict, with the Houthis now targeting Israel directly. The strike comes amid heightened tensions in the region, as the war enters its fifth week. In Saudi Arabia, an attack on Prince Sultan Air Base left 12 U.S. soldiers injured, two of them seriously. The strike, which involved drones, damaged several American refueling aircraft, prompting a U.S. official to confirm the casualties. U.S. officials have expressed confidence that the conflict will conclude within weeks rather than months. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the administration is close to achieving its objectives, though he warned that any permanent tolling system on the Strait of Hormuz—critical for global oil shipping—would be unacceptable. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, speaking in Miami, claimed that Iran has ended its "nuclear blackmail" and criticized NATO for not supporting the U.S. in the war. He also alleged that Iran sent 10 oil ships to the U.S. as part of negotiations. The Houthis, who control much of Yemen, have long opposed U.S. and Israeli influence in the Middle East. Their leader, Abdul-Malik al Houthi, has vowed to target vessels linked to Israel, following attacks on Red Sea shipping in response to the Gaza conflict. The group’s involvement has raised concerns among analysts, with former UK ambassador Nicholas Hopton warning that the war’s trajectory remains uncertain.#iran #strait_of_hormuz #saudi_arabia #marco_rubio #houthi_rebels
