Iran has instructed Yemen’s Houthi militia to prepare to close the Red Sea oil route if the United States targets Iranian power infrastructure, according to a Reuters report. This directive introduces a significant new risk to global energy supplies, as the Bab El-Mandeb Strait is a critical chokepoint for oil shipments. A source close to the Houthis stated that the group has completed preparations to attack shipping, deploying missiles and drones near the Bab El-Mandeb Strait, which is strategically located in Yemen's highlands with views of Hodeidah and the Gulf of Aden. The source further indicated that representatives from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), already present in Yemen, will control the decision on when to close the strait [1].
On the same day, the Tasnim news agency reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, and Ahvaz, with attacks targeting the bridge connecting Bandar Abbas to Shiraz, known as the Bandar Abbas-Khorstan-Lar bridge. Power outages have been reported in Kahorstan as a result. Additionally, Fars News reported loud explosions in Kuwait, with the sounds also heard in Basra, indicating heightened regional tensions [1].
The Bab El-Mandeb Strait is a vital passage for oil exports, and any disruption could have immediate and significant effects on global oil supply and prices. The article notes that political instability and threats to supply routes are key drivers of WTI oil prices, underscoring the potential market impact of these developments [1].
No specific analyst opinions or forward-looking statements are provided in the article, but the facts presented highlight the elevated risk to energy markets stemming from the situation [1].
CONCLUSION
Iran’s call for the Houthis to potentially close the Red Sea oil route in response to US actions represents a serious threat to global energy supply chains. The deployment of missiles and drones near the Bab El-Mandeb Strait, coupled with recent regional explosions, signals heightened geopolitical risk and likely upward pressure on oil prices.