The Houthis in Yemen have threatened to close the strategically vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait, raising fresh concerns over global trade and energy security.
Speaking in Sanaa, the deputy foreign minister of the Houthi administration said United States President Donald Trump should stop obstructing efforts aimed at restoring peace in the region.
He warned that continued pressure could lead to severe consequences for international shipping routes.
Why Bab el-Mandeb Matters to Global Trade
Bab el-Mandeb is one of the world’s most important maritime highways, linking the Gulf of Aden with the Red Sea. A significant share of oil exports from Gulf countries to Europe and Asia passes through this narrow strait.
According to estimates cited by Houthi officials, around 5 per cent of global crude oil supply—roughly 4 million barrels per day—moves through Bab el-Mandeb. Any closure would have immediate repercussions for global energy markets.
Officials warned that shutting the strait could halt up to 10 per cent of global trade, as it serves as the main gateway to the Red Sea and onward to the Suez Canal, a critical route for fast and cost-effective trade between Europe and Asia.
Iran Reasserts Control Over Strait of Hormuz
In a separate development, reports said Iran has once again halted commercial vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz, another key global shipping route.
A spokesman for the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters stated that the strait remains under strict Iranian control and that there has been no change in its status.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the Strait of Hormuz would remain under Iranian control until the United States restores unrestricted movement of ships to and from Iran.
Rising Risks for Global Shipping
With simultaneous threats to Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz—two of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints—experts warn of escalating risks to global trade, oil supplies, and shipping costs if tensions continue to rise in the Middle East.
