Iran has reportedly told Yemen's Houthi movement to be ready to disrupt traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb strait if the United States carries out threats against Iranian power infrastructure. The report, citing senior Iranian sources, points to a potentially sharp escalation around one of the world's key maritime chokepoints.
The Bab el-Mandeb is a crucial gateway linking the Red Sea to major global shipping routes. Any attempt to block or severely hinder passage there would raise immediate concerns for commercial vessels, energy shipments and wider supply chains moving through the region.
The reported warning highlights how tensions involving Iran and the US could spill into maritime security far beyond their direct confrontation. It also puts renewed focus on the Houthis, who have previously been at the center of regional security concerns tied to shipping in and around the Red Sea.
If such a threat moves from planning to action, the effects could spread quickly across transport and commodity markets. For now, the report underscores the growing risk that a broader conflict could disrupt a vital corridor for international trade.
