Iran War — 2026-04-07

Iran Threatens Bab al-Mandeb Strait Closure as Second Chokepoint Weapon

Senior Iranian adviser Ali Akbar Velayati warned that the Resistance Axis views Bab al-Mandeb "as it does Hormuz," signaling Iran-backed Houthis could block the Red Sea chokepoint that handles 10% of global trade and 5% of global oil supply. A senior Houthi official separately threatened to close the strait if Gulf states join US-Israeli military operations against Iran. If both Bab al-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz were shut simultaneously, an estimated 25% of global energy supply would be blocked.

Analysis
Velayati's statement linking Bab al-Mandeb to Hormuz marks the first time a senior Iranian official has framed both chokepoints as a unified pressure instrument. Combined closure would block 25% of global energy supply. The threat also tests Gulf state neutrality; Houthi action against Bab al-Mandeb could force Saudi Arabia and UAE into open alignment with the US-Israeli coalition.

2 sources

Iran threatens Bab al-Mandeb closure: How would that affect world trade? - Al Jazeera
Yemen's Houthis threaten potential closure of key Red Sea strait if Gulf states join war - Times of Israel