Updated · Letters from an American | Heather Cox Richardson · Jul 17
Iran Asks Houthis to Close Bab el-Mandeb as Trump Threatens Strikes on Bridges and Power Plants
Updated
Updated · Letters from an American | Heather Cox Richardson · Jul 17
Iran Asks Houthis to Close Bab el-Mandeb as Trump Threatens Strikes on Bridges and Power Plants
3 articles · Updated · Letters from an American | Heather Cox Richardson · Jul 17
Summary
Iranian leaders asked the Houthis to shut the Bab el-Mandeb Strait after Trump said the U.S. was planning attacks on Iran’s bridges and power plants.
The waterway is one of the Middle East’s two main oil-export routes, so any closure would deepen energy shortages as U.S. strategic oil reserves sit at their lowest level since 1983.
Reuters had already reported Houthi preparations around the chokepoint, including missiles and drones, indicating Tehran’s request is part of a broader retaliation plan if U.S. strikes proceed.
The move points to a wider escalation risk beyond Iran itself, threatening Red Sea shipping and global energy flows through a second critical maritime bottleneck alongside the Strait of Hormuz.
As Iran weaponizes two vital sea lanes, could its new 'toll' system reshape the future of maritime trade?
How would a 'combined energy-trade shock' from a Red Sea closure alter global supply and energy markets?
Can military force alone secure the world's most critical shipping routes against advanced proxy threats?
$10 Billion Per Day at Risk: The 2026 Dual Chokepoint Crisis Threatening Global Oil and Trade
Overview
In mid-July 2026, a fragile truce between Iran and the United States collapsed after months of fighting, leading to renewed conflict. The United States responded by striking Iran’s coastal defenses and reimposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports. In turn, Iran threatened to cut off more regional energy exports and declared itself in an 'existential war' with the U.S. These heightened tensions drove both sides to focus on controlling vital maritime chokepoints, creating a dual threat to global energy supplies and shipping. This escalation has triggered immediate market reactions and raised concerns about global economic stability.