WASHINGTON – As Hormuz dominated headlines being most volatile maritime flashpoint between US and Iran. Now, attention is shifting to another strategic gateway as Iran reportedly directed Yemen’s Houthis to prepare for possible closure of Bab al-Mandab Strait if US strikes Iranian energy infrastructure.
Despite back door diplomacy, Middle East could be edging toward one of its most dangerous maritime confrontations, with multiple regional reports claiming Iran has instructed Yemen’s Houthi movement to prepare for the possible closure of the Bab al-Mandab Strait if the United States strikes Iranian energy infrastructure.
The reported warning dramatically raises the stakes in an already escalating confrontation between arch-rivals Washington and Tehran. Bab al-Mandab is among critical shipping chokepoints, which handles nearly 12% of global trade and serves as a vital gateway linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, and any sustained disruption could send shockwaves through global supply chains, push energy prices sharply higher, and disrupt international commerce.
The reports emerge as tensions continue to mount following alleged U.S. strikes on facilities near Chabahar and Konarak, as well as key transportation infrastructure that supports Iran’s electricity network. President Donald Trump has also repeatedly warned that additional strikes targeting Iranian power plants and critical infrastructure remain on the table unless Tehran restores unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran has drawn clear line, saying any direct attack on its power grid or strategic infrastructure would trigger a coordinated response through its regional allies, with the Houthis potentially moving to shut down maritime traffic through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Adding to growing regional concerns are claims that the Houthis are expanding cooperation with the Somali militant group al-Shabab to establish a new front across the Horn of Africa.
Regional sources allege the partnership is intended to strengthen militant influence on both sides of the Bab al-Mandab, extending operational reach beyond Yemen and increasing pressure on one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The same reports claim the Houthis have transferred drone technology and operational expertise to al-Shabab on Iran’s behalf, potentially expanding the group’s capabilities.
Iranian officials simultaneously intensified their rhetoric surrounding Hormuz, declaring the waterway an inviolable “red line” and warning that any US attack on Iranian infrastructure, including power stations, bridges, or other strategic facilities, would prompt retaliatory strikes against critical infrastructure across the Gulf.
The warning follows several consecutive days of military exchanges between Iran and the United States, including U.S. operations targeting Iranian military assets and measures aimed at restoring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz after repeated attacks on commercial shipping.
Despite increasing military pressure, Iranian officials insist their ability to influence traffic through the Strait of Hormuz does not depend solely on coastal bases or nearby islands, maintaining that Tehran retains the capability to affect maritime operations from within its territory. Officials have also reiterated that reopening the waterway depends on U.S. compliance with previously negotiated understandings and Iran’s transit regulations.
The broader conflict has continued to expand, with Iran launching missile and drone attacks against U.S. forces and partner nations in Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain, further raising fears of a wider regional war.
