Iran Threatens to Close Bab el-Mandeb Strait After Hormuz Closure and Houthi Entry

Iran has escalated its maritime blockade efforts by threatening to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a second critical trade route after it effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard told the BBC that the Bab el-Mandeb is one of the world’s most strategic straits, and Iran has the will and capability to pose a real threat to it.

Al Jazeera

The parallel closure of both straits would effectively block access to the Suez Canal, a chokepoint through which one quarter of the world’s seaborne trade passes.

The Yemen-based Houthi movement officially entered the war by firing ballistic missiles at southern Israel.

The Iranian-backed Houthi movement formally entered the war on March 28, firing ballistic missiles at southern Israel.

Iran's Defense Minister warned that if the US occupied Kharg Island, Iran would respond by opening more fronts including the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Al-Jazeera Net

The European Navy's Red Sea SPiDES mission warned that the risk level for commercial vessels was medium after the Houthis entered the war.

Analysts noted that controlling the Red Sea is far more important than the missiles the Houthis might fire.

The combined threat to close both straits would restrict nearly a third of the world's oil trade.

Oil prices surged as Brent crude jumped past $110 a barrel, a more than 50% increase since the start of the war.

Financial markets showed signs of strain as US bond yields rose and Asian equities tumbled.

European trade links with Asia faced disruption with Kent Insurance warning of massive costs.

The escalating blockade poses challenges for Western military operations.

Britain announced that its HMS Defender would join the US-led SPiDES mission in the Red Sea.

BBC

Iran's simultaneous control over two major chokepoints would require different military assets and coordination between the GCC and Egypt.

Iran's multipronged strategy complicates military planning.