Iran is signaling it could leverage its Yemeni proxy, the Houthis, to disrupt shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb strait, extending its maritime pressure beyond the already constricted Strait of Hormuz.
The development marks a strategic widening of Tehran's leverage over global trade routes, targeting the critical gateway to the Red Sea and Suez Canal.
This escalation follows weeks of intensified Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz, which has already triggered a sharp rise in crude oil prices as traders reassess supply disruption risks.
By threatening the Bab el-Mandeb, Iran aims to compound the logistical and insurance costs for global shippers, potentially forcing rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope and tightening tanker availability further.
The move comes amid a broader military campaign in the Persian Gulf, where Iran has launched fresh barrages of missiles and drones against US military facilities in neighboring Gulf states.
The dual-front pressure on maritime chokepoints underscores Tehran's strategy of using asymmetric naval threats to counter US and allied naval presence.