Iran has reportedly instructed Yemen’s Houthi movement to be prepared to shut down the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical gateway to the Red Sea, if the United States launches strikes on Iran’s power infrastructure, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
The directive was discussed within Iran’s leadership and communicated to the Houthis, two senior Iranian officials and a regional source told reporters on condition of anonymity.
The sources said the message was delivered recently, though they did not specify how it was conveyed or whether it followed US President Donald Trump’s threat on Tuesday to target Iran’s power infrastructure.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry and a spokesperson for the Houthi group did not immediately respond to the requests for comment.
A source close to the Houthis said the group has completed preparations to target commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
According to the source, missiles and drones have been positioned near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with additional assets deployed in Yemen’s highlands overlooking Hodeidah and the Gulf of Aden. The source added that the group is awaiting orders before launching any operation.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait serves as one of the world’s most strategic maritime corridors, linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
Any disruption to shipping through the waterway could significantly worsen the global energy crisis, which has already been intensified by Iran’s reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Analysts warn that a simultaneous disruption of both major oil transit routes would have severe implications for global energy markets and international trade, pointing to the growing risks of a wider regional conflict.
Iran reportedly directs Houthis to prepare Red Sea closure if US targets power infrastructure
