Iran Signals Bab el-Mandeb Closure Risk, Threatening $200 Oil via Houthi Pressure
Updated
Updated · The Economic Times · Jul 15
Iran Signals Bab el-Mandeb Closure Risk, Threatening $200 Oil via Houthi Pressure
3 articles · Updated · The Economic Times · Jul 15
Summary
Bab el-Mandeb could be closed alongside Hormuz, a Houthi official warned, saying oil could spike to $200 a barrel if Saudi attacks on Yemen continue.
Iran is using the Red Sea chokepoint as a second pressure lever after disrupting Hormuz, signaling it can threaten both of the world's most important energy shipping routes at once.
Houthi attacks have already shown that leverage: since the 2023 Gaza war, Red Sea strikes forced major shipping lines to reroute around southern Africa and drove up transport costs.
Analysts say the threat raises pressure on Washington and Tehran to resume negotiations before a wider U.S.-Iran conflict turns Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb into twin battlegrounds for global trade.
With Hormuz closed and Bab el-Mandeb threatened, is the world economy facing an unprecedented energy collapse?
Beyond the oil shock, what is the ultimate strategic endgame in the U.S.-Iran naval confrontation?
The 2026 Maritime Shock: Iran’s Closure of Hormuz and Threat to Bab el-Mandeb Disrupts Global Oil and Trade
Overview
In mid-2026, Iran intensified its control over global maritime trade by employing a dual chokepoint strategy, focusing on the Strait of Hormuz and threatening the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The effective closure of Hormuz since March 4 has disrupted global oil trade and raised market concerns, with oil prices expected to rise sharply. Iranian lawmakers have reinforced this strategy by pushing for greater control over Hormuz, increasing pressure on international energy and commercial flows. This sustained disruption highlights Iran’s intent to leverage these chokepoints for strategic advantage, creating significant risks for global markets and supply chains.