U.S. launches sixth night of attacks as Iran signals it could prod Houthis to close Red Sea oil route (Strait of Hormuz)
US military operations have entered their sixth night, amid escalating tensions with Iran following reports that Iranian officials have instructed Yemen’s Houthi movement to potentially block the Red Sea if the United States launches strikes against Iran’s energy infrastructure.
According to Reuters, two senior Iranian sources and another regional informant confirmed that such a request was discussed among Iran’s leadership, signaling a serious escalation in the ongoing conflict. The Houthis have already started preparations for potential attacks on shipping routes near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, indicating readiness to utilize missiles and drones at a moment’s notice.
This development raises significant concerns about the security of global energy supplies, highlighting the interconnectedness of regional conflicts and international oil transportation routes.
Red Sea
The Red Sea is an inlet of the Indian Ocean located between Africa and Asia, connected to the ocean through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden. It spans approximately 438,000 km² (169,000 sq mi) in surface area, is around 2,250 km (1,400 mi) long, and reaches a maximum width of 355 km (221 mi).
With an average depth of 490 m (1,610 ft) and a maximum depth of 2,730 m (8,960 ft) in the central Suakin Trough, the sea is relatively shallow, with nearly 40% of its area being less than 100 m (330 ft) deep and about 25% under 50 m (160 ft) deep.
Strait of Hormuz This shallow environment is rich in marine life, hosting over 1,000 invertebrate species and 200 types of coral, making the Red Sea the world’s northernmost tropical sea and designating it as a Global 200 ecoregion.
The International Hydrographic Organization outlines its northern limits as the southern edges of the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba, while the southern boundary includes a line connecting Husn Murad. The naming of the Red Sea varies across different cultures and languages, such as البحر الأحمر (al-Baḥr al-ʾAḥmar) in Modern Standard Arabic, and it has also been referred to historically as the Erythraean Sea by Europeans and Mare Rubrum in Latin.
The name may reference the seasonal blooms of the red-colored marine species Trichodesmium erythraeum.
Another theory suggests that the term “red” may correspond to the cardinal direction south, paralleling how the name “Black Sea” may relate to the north, as some ancient languages utilized colors for directional indicators.
The term Yam Suph, meaning ‘Sea of Reeds,’ originates from the biblical account of the Israelites, and historically, the sea has also been known as Mare Mecca and Sinus Arabicus among Western geographers and other ancient sources.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is set to dictate the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing tensions with the U.S., as reported by Reuters. This strategic maritime passage is critical, carrying approximately 7% of the world’s energy supply, and disruptions could severely impact the main oil export routes in the Middle East.
Notably, a significant diversion has occurred, with Saudi Arabia now sending 70% of its energy exports through the Red Sea due to the unstable situation.
Strait of Hormuz The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is particularly concerning as it remains a flashpoint in U.S.-Iran relations. Regional sources indicate that Saudi Arabia is acutely aware of the threats posed by Iran and its Houthi allies, with the latter potentially elevating the stakes of the conflict to directly impact global shipping and, by extension, the global economy.
Although the Houthis have not officially joined the U.S.-Israeli conflict, they issued warnings in March about entering the fray if certain “red lines” are crossed, including alliances between Arab nations and the U.S. or Israel, U.S. and Israeli military actions in the Red Sea against Iran, and continuing escalations against Iran and the broader “Axis of Jihad and Resistance.”
Discussions have taken place within Iran’s leadership regarding the involvement of the Houthis, which has been communicated to them recently, although the specifics remain undisclosed.
Strait of Hormuz Furthermore, the context of these developments coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threats to target Iranian power infrastructure, highlighting the potential for heightened conflict. The foreign ministry in Iran and representatives for the Houthis have not yet commented on these escalating tensions.
HOUTHIS DEPLOY DRONES NEAR BAB EL-MANDEB, SAYS SOURCE
The Houthis have reportedly mobilized drones and missiles in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, potentially aiming to disrupt shipping traffic and exacerbate the ongoing global energy crisis. Positioned near Yemen’s highlands overlooking Hodeidah and the Gulf of Aden, the group is reportedly awaiting orders to initiate attacks on maritime routes, a move that would risk significant disruptions to the Red Sea—particularly concerning the Middle East’s main oil export routes.
Strait of Hormuz The threat of Houthi aggression comes at a crucial time, following Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has already strained energy supply chains, as this closure affects about 20% of global energy supplies. If the Bab el-Mandeb strait were to be compromised, it would mean both critical oil transit corridors are at risk, thereby intensifying Iran’s conflict with the United States and raising fears of a wider regional war.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is present in Yemen, is believed to maintain control over when such operations will commence against the Bab el-Mandeb strait. Another layer of tension has emerged as the Houthis launched missiles at Saudi Arabia, following accusations against the kingdom for bombing an airport they control, signaling the end of a four-year truce.
Experts like Torbjorn Solvedt, from Verisk Maplecroft, have noted the precarious timing of the escalation, warning that if violence extends to Red Sea export infrastructures, it could threaten the remaining viable oil export routes from the region.
Strait of Hormuz Regional sources indicate that Saudi Arabia is taking these threats very seriously, recognizing the increasing coordination between the Houthis and Iran regarding actions related to the Red Sea. The current tensions trace back to February 28, when hostilities between Israel and the U.S. against Iran triggered the closure of the Hormuz strait; subsequent conflicts have only escalated fears of a broader war and the disruption of energy supplies.
Strait of Hormuz The Houthis have a history of targeting cargo vessels in the Red Sea, as demonstrated by their attacks last July on civilian ships, which resulted in casualties and significant damages. In response to these rising threats, the U.S. has carried out targeted strikes against Iranian military capabilities to undermine any potential threats to commercial shipping, emphasizing the U.S. commitment to ensuring the safety of maritime operations in strategically vital waterways.
RED SEA CLOSURE WOULD NOT BE DIFFICULT, SOURCE SAYS
The recent closure of the Red Sea could be achievable with relative ease, according to a regional source. A substantial volume of Gulf oil has been redirected to the Red Sea via a Saudi pipeline, which currently accounts for approximately 7% of global energy supplies.
Following Houthi attacks on shipping during the Gaza war, major shipping companies opted for the costlier, longer detours around Africa to ensure the safety of their cargoes. Saudi Arabia itself has rerouted 70% of its energy exports through the Red Sea port of Yanbu, meaning any direct attacks on this critical route would severely disrupt oil markets.
Strait of Hormuz The source suggests that Iran’s leadership may be leveraging the situation to exert pressure on the United States by increasing potential costs to the global economy, specifically threatening Red Sea shipping and Saudi oil exports. This tactic is described as part of an “Iranian thinking.” Strait of Hormuz
The source further claimed that closing the strait would not require advanced military technology, citing that “anybody with a firing rifle can interrupt the shipping.”
Strait of Hormuz Iran considers the Houthis a part of its broader “Axis of Resistance,” which includes Lebanese Hezbollah and Iraqi Shi’ite armed groups, all involved in the ongoing regional conflict between Tehran and Washington. Strait of Hormuz
However, the Houthi rebels have not formally engaged in this conflict. Strait of Hormuz The United States has accused Iran of supplying the Houthis with arms, funding, and training through Hezbollah, although Iran has denied these allegations.
Summary
- Houthis await signal to hit shipping, source says
- Red Sea disruption would deepen energy crisis
- Saudi Arabia takes threat seriously, regional source says
Houthis are reportedly poised to initiate attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, according to sources. This potential disruption is expected to exacerbate the existing energy crisis in the region. A regional source indicates that Saudi Arabia is taking these threats very seriously, emphasizing the importance of the situation for both regional stability and global energy markets.
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