Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf hinted at a possible blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, over which Tehran already exercises partial control via the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic sea route connects the Red Sea with the Suez Canal, providing a vital transport corridor between Yemen and the Horn of Africa. According to Glavkom, citing CNN, Ghalibaf emphasized the dependence of global supplies of oil, grain, and fertilizers on this route.
Such statements may indicate the possibility of expanding Iranian influence through the Yemeni Houthis. About 6% of the world’s seaborne oil passes through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, making it critically important for the global economy. Additionally, the Red Sea serves as the main export route for Saudi Arabia, allowing it to bypass the Strait of Hormuz via a pipeline to the port of Yanbu, with the capacity to transport up to 7 million barrels of oil per day.
Since late 2023, Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have led to a more than 50% decline in activity in the region. Many companies are forced to reroute their vessels around Africa, which significantly increases logistics time and costs. If Iran were to completely block the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, this could have serious consequences for global supply chains.
