Houthis Warn of Possible Red Sea Route ‘Bab al-Mandeb Strait’ Closure

A senior official from Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis has warned that key global shipping routes, including the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, could be targeted as tensions rise in the Middle East.

Mohammed Mansour, deputy information minister in the Houthi-run administration, said the group has not ruled out closing the strait, which links the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. He described these routes as “options” amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

The warning comes after the Houthis launched missile strikes towards Israel on Saturday, marking their first direct involvement since the US-Israel offensive on Iran began in late February.

Mansour said the group is coordinating with allies in Iran, Lebanon and Iraq, including Hezbollah. He stated that the aim is to increase pressure on Israel and the United States in support of Iran and Palestinian causes.

He added that any decision to block shipping routes or escalate attacks would depend on further actions by Israel and the US, particularly any ground military operations.

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is one of the world’s most important trade routes, especially for oil and fuel shipments. Any disruption there could have serious consequences for global energy supply and trade.

The Houthis have previously targeted Red Sea shipping and Israel with missiles and drones during the Gaza conflict. They claim such actions are part of a broader regional alliance supporting Palestine.

The wider conflict, now in its second month, began after joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Since then, Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US-linked positions across the region, including in Jordan and Gulf countries.

The escalation has already caused significant casualties and disrupted global markets, with fears growing that further attacks on key maritime routes could deepen the economic impact worldwide.