A Bloomberg Opinion commentary highlighted by CNA warns that any Houthi attempt to close the Bab el-Mandeb would create a serious new flashpoint in an already tense region. The article argues that such a move could give Iran a way to expand pressure on the US and its partners beyond the Persian Gulf, turning another strategic waterway into a zone of confrontation.
The commentary’s central concern is that losing reliable passage through a second major maritime chokepoint would deepen risks for global shipping and regional security. The Bab el-Mandeb is a vital route for vessels moving through the Red Sea, so any disruption there would carry consequences far beyond the immediate conflict.
As a response, the piece points to the earlier fight against Somali piracy as a useful model. Rather than leaving protection to a single country, it says defensive operations should be internationalised, with multiple navies sharing the burden of securing commercial traffic.
One practical step mentioned is organizing merchant vessels into small convoys, helping reduce their exposure and making escorts more effective. In this view, a coordinated multinational presence would be the best way to deter further escalation and prevent another crucial strait from slipping out of secure control.
