30.04.2026 21:20
A worrying statement came from Iran, which continues to keep the Strait of Hormuz, which is of great importance for world oil trade, closed. The statement said, 'The Houthis in Yemen will close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.'
Iranian lawmaker and member of Iran's Parliament National Security Commission Ali Hazrian says that the Yemeni Armed Forces have recently conducted exercises to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and preparations for its closure are complete.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden (and thus the Indian Ocean), is one of the world's most critical "choke points" for global trade and energy supply security. As the main gateway for maritime traffic between Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal, this strait hosts thousands of oil tankers and container ships each year, forming the transit route for approximately 10% of the world's crude oil trade. Geopolitically situated between the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, this strategic passage has the potential to cause major disruptions to global supply chains and sharp fluctuations in energy prices in the event of any blockage or security crisis; therefore, the region remains a focus of military and diplomatic attention from major powers.