Iran and its allies are considering “activating other fronts,” including the Bab al-Mandab Strait, in response to Israel’s attacks in Lebanon, Iranian media reported on Monday, according to CNN.
The closure of this strategic waterway could cause significant disruptions to global trade and further unsettle oil markets. Oil prices rose sharply following the reports.
Located at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait serves as a critical gateway to the Suez Canal, linking Europe and Asia through one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. At its narrowest point, it is only about 29 kilometers (18 miles) wide and has previously been the site of attacks on commercial vessels by the Iran-backed Houthi Movement in Yemen.
In late 2023, Houthi militants began targeting merchant ships passing through the strait in retaliation for Israel’s war in Gaza. The attacks forced shipping companies to take longer routes around Africa, adding weeks to voyages and increasing costs for fuel, insurance, and crew wages.
Nearly 15% of global maritime trade passes through Bab al-Mandab. According to industry estimates, disruptions to shipping between 2023 and 2025 may have cost around $20 billion annually.
Despite the ongoing conflict, the strait has remained largely navigable, preserving a crucial export route for Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude oil exporter, particularly after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.
The Houthis have not yet commented on the latest Iranian reports. However, in March, Mohammed Mansour told CNN that closing Bab al-Mandab “is a viable option, and the consequences will be borne by the American and Israeli aggressors.”
