Iran Threatens to Close Bab al-Mandeb After Blocking Hormuz Strait

Iran signaled it could close the Bab al-Mandeb Strait just weeks after closing the Strait of Hormuz.

“After the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, another crucial regional waterway, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, is now at risk of disruption”

Africanews

Ali Akbar Velayati warned the Resistance front views Bab al-Mandeb as it does Hormuz.

Al Jazeera

Iran does not border Bab al-Mandeb directly, but its alliance with the Houthis gives Tehran leverage.

The strait carries about 12 percent of global trade and roughly 4.1 million barrels of petroleum daily.

Trump demanded Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz by April 8 or face strikes on infrastructure.

Analysts warned simultaneous closure of the two straits could send crude prices surging.

BBC

The dual closure would effectively sever Middle Eastern oil routes from the outside world.

Bab al-Mandeb links the Indian Ocean to the Suez Canal and Europe.

“Why Bab al-Mandeb matters, threatened with closure by Iran”

BBC

Saudi Arabia was using Bab al-Mandeb as an alternate export route after Hormuz closed.

Blocking Bab al-Mandeb would force rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope, adding weeks to delivery.

Markets were already feeling the pinch from rising energy prices and disrupted supply chains.