Iran asks Houthi rebels to close Bab el-Mandeb strait if U.S. attacks energy infrastructure

Iran has allegedly urged Houthi rebels in Yemen to block the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a critical chokepoint for Red Sea access, should the United States launch attacks on Iran's energy infrastructure. Sources cited by Reuters indicate that the Houthi movement has responded to Tehran's request by deploying missiles and drones to strategic high ground overlooking the strait and the Gulf of Aden. Rebel sources suggest the group is on high alert, awaiting direct orders from Iran, with the final decision resting with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, whose representatives are reportedly in Yemen. The potential disruption of maritime traffic through Bab el-Mandeb comes amid escalating tensions, following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement to resume blocking Iranian ports and threats to bomb Iranian energy and civilian infrastructure. Iranian authorities appear to be leveraging the threat to global trade and energy flows to exert pressure on the U.S. Any disruption to the Bab el-Mandeb strait would significantly worsen the energy crisis, especially impacting Saudi Arabia, which exports 70% of its energy resources via the Red Sea port of Yanbu. The kingdom views the escalating cooperation between Iran and the Houthis with extreme seriousness.

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Anyone who has a rifle can disrupt maritime transport. Sophisticated missiles are not needed to disrupt maritime transport.