PNN – The British newspaper The Telegraph claimed in a report that Yemenis appear to be preparing to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network; the British newspaper The Telegraph published a report claiming that Yemenis appear to be preparing to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—a waterway considered one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.
According to this media outlet, the report indicates that Yemen has not yet taken concrete action; instead, as part of Iran’s broader campaign to ramp up pressure on the United States and its allies, it is awaiting an opportune moment to act. Should the Bab al-Mandab Strait be closed, commercial vessels would be forced to take a much longer route around the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa, resulting in a significant increase in shipping times and transportation costs.
In this report, The Telegraph added that the reported strategy reflects existing concerns regarding the Strait of Hormuz—another vital global energy chokepoint where disruptions have repeatedly raised alarms about global oil supplies and international trade. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, serving as a crucial gateway for commercial and energy shipments moving between Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal. Any prolonged disruption to traffic through this strait could have significant consequences for global supply chains and maritime trade.
According to The Telegraph, the Yemenis have currently held off on carrying out this move while monitoring regional developments alongside the progression of Iran’s broader strategic pressure campaign.
It is worth noting that US-instigated tensions in the region have led to insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb; whereas, prior to Washington’s aggressive actions, these routes were safe for maritime traffic.