Iran has signaled it could close the Bab el-Mandeb strait with the assistance of Houthi forces, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions.
The threat extends the scope of potential shipping disruptions beyond the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran recently claimed to have blocked.
This development intensifies concerns over a coordinated blockade of key global trade chokepoints.
The prospect of a dual-chokepoint closure poses severe risks to global commerce and energy markets.
The Bab el-Mandeb is a critical artery for container traffic and oil shipments between Asia and Europe.
Any attempt to seal this route would force vessels into longer, more expensive alternatives, likely driving up freight rates and disrupting supply chains.