Could Bab Al-Mandeb Be The Next Strait Of Hormuz? Ships Begin Turning Around In Red Sea
At least seven oil tankers have turned around in the Red Sea after the Iranian-allied Houthis in Yemen declared a naval blockade of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, threatening a crucial oil shipping route. Four tankers rerouted on Wednesday, following three that turned around on Tuesday. A Chinese-operated vehicle carrier also reversed course after a Houthi warning. Iran has reportedly asked the Houthis to be ready to close the strait if the US targets Iran's power infrastructure. The Houthis have deployed missiles and drones near the strait but no attacks have been reported yet. An estimated 4.1 million barrels of petroleum products passed through the strait daily in 2024. An Iranian adviser compared Bab al-Mandeb to the Strait of Hormuz, warning that global energy and trade flows could be disrupted.
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