With the Strait of Hormuz already facing strain since the beginning of the joint US-Israeli attack on February 28, Iran has signaled that it could expand its maritime pressure on another vital global transit route.
Tehran's shift in attention now to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has triggered fresh concerns over energy flows and supply chains.
The latest remarks from Iran's parliamentary leadership emerge at a time when the closure of Hormuz has already disrupted shipping activity and constrained international markets. In a series of posts on X, Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has indicated targeting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. "What share of global oil, LNG, wheat, rice, and fertilizer shipments transits the Bab el-Mandeb Strait?" he wrote. He further asked, "Which countries and companies account for the highest transit volumes through the strait?, suggesting that Iran is currently assessing where disruption could hit the hardest.
Maritime pressure beyond the Strait of Hormuz
Iran's maritime warning comes as Iran continues to retain control over Hormuz, disrupting global shipping and raising costs. By signaling interest in targeting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, Tehran is seemingly enhancing its strategic plans.
Global shipments in focus
Ghalibaf's comments clearly indicate the vulnerability of international supply chains, especially in energy and key essential commodities. Oil, LNG, and food supplies of wheat and rice largely depend on safe passage through narrow maritime routes. Any shipping disruption in Bab el-Mandeb may trigger far-reaching consequences, impacting food security, energy trade flows, and raising the risk of economic fallout.
What is the Bab el-Mandeb Strait?
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, with Yemen situated on one bank of the waterway. Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have recently issued threats to shipping through the strait. Experts have warned that the Strait could emerge as a new flashpoint in the ongoing US-Iran war, particularly after the Houthis launched an attack on Israel on March 28.