Iran threatens to close strategic Bab al-Mandeb waterway affecting global trade routes

Iranian Allies Threaten to Shut Bab al-Mandeb Shipping Route

A top adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has warned that Iranian allies could shut the Bab al-Mandeb shipping route, a crucial waterway for global oil trade. Ali Akbar Velayati, a former Iranian foreign minister and veteran diplomat, made the statement on X, stating that “the unified command of the Resistance front views Bab al-Mandeb as it does Hormuz”. This comes after US President Donald Trump’s threats to bomb Iran’s power plants and bridges if Tehran does not agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has stated that ships from countries that negotiate safe passage are allowed to pass through the strait, excluding the US and Israel. However, if the Bab al-Mandeb were closed, it would impact global energy supply and trade, potentially exacerbating the ongoing war’s effects on the global economy.

The Bab al-Mandeb connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, a vital route for oil shipments from Saudi Arabia to Asia. The strait is 29km wide at its narrowest point, with limited traffic capacity, making it effectively controlled by the Iran-backed Houthis. The Yemen-based group is part of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” coalition.

In 2024, about 4.1 billion barrels of crude oil and refined petroleum products passed through the strait, accounting for 5% of global total. If both the Bab al-Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz were shut, it would block 25% of the world’s oil and gas supply. The strait also handles about 10% of global trade, including containers shipped from China, India, and other Asian countries to Europe.

Saudi Arabia has increased its reliance on the Bab al-Mandeb route, using the East West Pipeline to ship crude out through the strait. In March, oil flowed at the pipeline’s capacity of 7 million bpd, more than ever before. The Houthis have previously shown they can control the strait, and Velayati’s warning suggests that Iranian allies could also do so if necessary.

Source: Al Jazeera