A Houthi blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb strait would represent a significant escalation in the conflict between the United States and Iran, according to analysis by former NATO Supreme Allied Commander James Stavridis.
Writing for Bloomberg Opinion, Stavridis argues that such a move would allow Tehran to extend the war beyond the Persian Gulf, creating a two-front maritime crisis for Western navies and global trade.
The warning comes as markets continue to price in elevated shipping risks following recent US military strikes on targets in Iran near the Strait of Hormuz.
While the Strait of Hormuz remains the primary conduit for global oil supplies, the Bab el-Mandeb serves as the critical gateway to the Suez Canal for trade between Europe and Asia.
A simultaneous disruption at both chokepoints would force vessels to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, adding weeks to transit times and significantly increasing fuel and insurance costs.
Handelsavisen notes that freight rates for container ships and tankers have already seen volatility due to existing tensions in the Red Sea and Gulf regions.