Iran has instructed Houthi forces to prepare for the potential closure of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
The directive, reported by multiple outlets including Press TV, signals a significant escalation in regional hostilities and raises the specter of renewed disruptions to global shipping lanes.
The threat extends beyond rhetorical posturing.
A closure of the Bab al-Mandab would force vessels to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, adding weeks to transit times and increasing fuel costs for energy and cargo shipments.
This development follows earlier warnings from Iran’s military regarding the potential shutdown of key shipping routes, indicating a coordinated strategy to leverage maritime access as a geopolitical tool.
Markets are likely to react to the heightened risk premium.