Iran Orders Houthis to Ready Bab el-Mandeb Closure as 7% of Global Energy Faces Risk
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 16
Iran Orders Houthis to Ready Bab el-Mandeb Closure as 7% of Global Energy Faces Risk
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 16
Summary
Three sources told Reuters Iran recently instructed Yemen’s Houthis to prepare to shut the Bab el-Mandeb if the U.S. strikes Iranian power infrastructure, with missiles and drones reportedly positioned near the strait.
The threat matters because the Red Sea gateway now carries about 7% of global energy supplies, and repeated Houthi attacks or even credible threats could force ships to reroute around Africa, raising insurance, fuel and freight costs.
Saudi Arabia has already redirected about 70% of its energy exports through Yanbu after disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, making Bab el-Mandeb more critical to Gulf oil flows.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres again urged all sides to avoid escalation, while analysts said any move would likely be coordinated under Iranian oversight and could trigger Israeli and U.S. strikes on Houthi-held areas in Yemen.
As Iran weaponizes two vital sea lanes, could its new 'toll' system reshape the future of maritime trade?
How would a 'combined energy-trade shock' from a Red Sea closure alter global supply and energy markets?
Can military force alone secure the world's most critical shipping routes against advanced proxy threats?
$10 Billion Per Day at Risk: The 2026 Dual Chokepoint Crisis Threatening Global Oil and Trade
Overview
In mid-July 2026, a fragile truce between Iran and the United States collapsed after months of fighting, leading to renewed conflict. The United States responded by striking Iran’s coastal defenses and reimposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports. In turn, Iran threatened to cut off more regional energy exports and declared itself in an 'existential war' with the U.S. These heightened tensions drove both sides to focus on controlling vital maritime chokepoints, creating a dual threat to global energy supplies and shipping. This escalation has triggered immediate market reactions and raised concerns about global economic stability.