Iran is expanding its pressure on maritime routes in the Middle East, mentioning the Red Sea in addition to the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency, Esmail Qaani, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, stated on social media on June 8 that "from the Strait of Hormuz to the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a new security belt of resistance will be established from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea."
Qaani emphasized that "the heroic actions of Yemen demonstrate the remarkable capabilities of the resistance front" and warned that "if necessary, others will join in." He added, "Borderless warriors are watching," and cautioned that the "evil actions of the Zionist regime (Israel) and the United States in this region will provoke a unified response from the resistance front."
These remarks followed the Houthi declaration of missile attacks against Israel and their intention to block Israeli vessels in the Red Sea. This is interpreted as a warning to expand pressure on key energy transport routes by mobilizing the Houthis, who possess geopolitical advantages that could directly threaten the Red Sea.
The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, identified by Qaani, is considered a critical chokepoint for global maritime transport, alongside the Strait of Hormuz. It connects the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Indian Ocean, with its narrowest point measuring only about 26 kilometers.
According to a global supply chain report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, approximately 12% of global maritime cargo passes through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that 10% of global energy transport transits this strait.
Following the outbreak of war after U.S.-Iran clashes in late February, Iran effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz. Before the conflict, the EIA reported that 25% of global maritime crude oil trade and 20% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
Consequently, if both the Bab-el-Mandeb and Hormuz straits are simultaneously threatened, it could impact one-third of global oil and gas maritime transport, according to Euronews.
Reuters also noted that Saudi Arabia, the largest oil producer in the Middle East, exports about 70% of its daily crude oil through the Red Sea port of Yanbu. If the Houthis continue to disrupt maritime transport in the Red Sea or attack vessels and ports, it could place significant strain on energy markets.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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