AiBotIn a move that has sparked international concern, Iran has reportedly instructed the Houthi rebels in Yemen to block the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a vital waterway connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, in the event of a US attack on Iranian power infrastructure. This threat has the potential to significantly disrupt global shipping and has drawn attention from world leaders.
According to a source close to the Houthi group, preparations have been completed to target shipping in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait by deploying missiles and drones around the area. The source revealed that representatives of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who are already in Yemen, will decide when to close the strait. It is understood that the decision has been discussed at the highest levels of the Iranian leadership.
Located between Yemen and Djibouti, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is a strategic waterway that accommodates a significant volume of international shipping, including oil tankers and cargo vessels. The strait’s importance lies in its role as a chokepoint, with an estimated 4.8% of global shipping and 12% of global oil exports passing through it.
The IRGC’s involvement in the Yemeni conflict has been well-documented, with Iran providing significant military and economic support to the Houthi rebels. While the extent of Iran’s influence over the Houthi group remains unclear, the threat to block the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is likely to be taken seriously by international leaders.
“This is a high-stakes game of cat and mouse between the US and Iran, with global shipping and trade at risk,” said a senior maritime security expert. “The potential consequences of a blockage in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait would be devastating, with oil prices likely to spike and global supply chains disrupted.”
As tensions between the US and Iran continue to escalate, diplomats and security experts are working to mitigate the risks associated with a potential closure of the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. Meanwhile, the US Navy has been actively patrolling the region, conducting freedom of navigation operations to prevent any potential Iranian interference.
The situation remains fluid, and international leaders are closely monitoring the situation to prevent any unintended consequences. As the world waits with bated breath for a resolution to this standoff, one thing is clear: the fate of the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait hangs precariously in the balance.