Iran Threatens To Close More Strategic Seaways After US Renews Naval Blockade Of Iranian Ports
Our take
The recent escalation in tensions surrounding strategic seaways, specifically the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Strait of Hormuz, demands careful scrutiny. Iran’s threat to close these vital maritime corridors, coupled with the U.S. renewing naval blockades of Iranian ports, represents a significant disruption to global trade and underscores the fragility of maritime security in the region. The warning from a senior Houthi official, linked to Iran, regarding potential closures if Saudi Arabia continues attacks on Yemen, adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation. Recent incidents highlight these risks; a Missing Indian Sailor Confirmed Dead After Container Ship Hit By Projectile In Strait Of Hormuz tragically illustrates the immediate human cost, while the sinking of a Bulk Carrier Sinks In Strait Of Hormuz After Splitting In Two, 23 Crew Rescued serves as a stark reminder of the potential for catastrophic maritime disasters. The increased targeting of commercial vessels, as reported by U.S. Central Command Iran Targeted 7 Commercial Ships In The Past Week, Says Head Of U.S Central Command, raises serious concerns about the safety of seafarers and the stability of global supply chains.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, for instance, is a critical chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. It handles a substantial volume of global trade, including energy shipments and goods destined for Europe and Asia. Disruptions to this waterway would have cascading economic consequences, potentially leading to increased shipping costs, delays, and shortages. The Strait of Hormuz, similarly, is a vital passage for oil tankers moving from the Persian Gulf to the rest of the world. Any significant restriction or closure of either of these waterways would trigger immediate and widespread economic repercussions, impacting energy markets and global trade flows. This isn't simply a regional conflict; it has global implications, directly impacting the cost of goods and stability of international commerce. The potential for miscalculation or escalation is high, particularly given the complex web of alliances and proxy conflicts in the region.
The broader context is crucial for understanding this development. The ongoing conflict in Yemen, the tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and the broader geopolitical landscape in the Middle East all contribute to the heightened risk of maritime disruption. Iran's actions can be viewed as a response to perceived economic pressure and a strategy to assert its influence in the region. The U.S. naval presence, while intended to ensure freedom of navigation, can also be interpreted as a provocation by some actors. This creates a dangerous cycle of escalation, increasing the likelihood of further incidents and potentially more severe disruptions to maritime trade. It's imperative to recognize that these events aren’t isolated incidents but rather symptoms of deeper, systemic issues related to regional power dynamics and maritime security governance. The lack of robust, internationally agreed-upon protocols for de-escalation and conflict resolution in these vital waterways exacerbates the risks.
Looking ahead, the situation demands a multifaceted approach that prioritizes diplomacy, de-escalation, and enhanced maritime security cooperation. While military presence may be necessary to deter aggression, a sustained focus on dialogue and negotiation is essential to address the underlying causes of the conflict. Developing more resilient and diversified trade routes is also crucial to mitigate the impact of potential disruptions. Furthermore, the establishment of a clear and universally accepted framework for maritime security in the region, validated through empirical data and peer-reviewed analysis, is becoming increasingly urgent. A key question remains: can a calibrated, integrated response that balances security concerns with diplomatic efforts prevent further escalation and safeguard the vital arteries of global trade?
Iran threatened on Wednesday to expand disruption to regional energy export routes beyond the Strait of Hormuz after the United States renewed a naval blockade of Iranian ports and carried out a fresh round of military strikes.
The warning came after the US military said it had launched new strikes to target Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran responded by warning that “all other export corridors that benefit the US and its allies” could also be shut.
Analysts cited in the source material said Iran appeared to be signalling it could use its Houthi allies in Yemen to threaten shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Together, the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb are key routes for global oil exports and commercial shipping, making any disruption a concern for international energy markets and maritime trade.
“Regional energy exports are either shared by all, or denied to all,” Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement carried by the state-run IRNA news agency.
The latest escalation follows the US decision to reimpose a naval blockade on Iranian ports while increasing military operations near the Strait of Hormuz.
The US military said late on Tuesday that it struck dozens of military targets near the strait and along Iran’s coastline in a seven-hour operation, adding that the strikes continued on Wednesday.
It said the operations were aimed at “continuing to degrade Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Washington also said Iran had attacked seven commercial ships over the past week, leaving nearly a dozen crew members dead, missing or injured.
Bab el-Mandeb Strait
Focus has also shifted to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and carries Saudi oil exports as well as a significant share of global shipping.
Analysts said Iran has been signalling it may use its Houthi allies in Yemen to close the waterway, opening another front against the United States and putting another major energy corridor at risk.
A senior Houthi official warned on Monday that the group was prepared to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait if Saudi Arabia continued attacks on Yemen, according to Iran’s Press TV. He said such a move could increase oil prices to as much as $200 a barrel.
Houthi forces fired missiles at Saudi Arabia after accusing the kingdom of bombing an airport under their control on Monday, ending a four-year truce between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-aligned group.
The Houthis have previously targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea. After the Gaza war began in October 2023, they launched attacks on merchant vessels, saying they were targeting ships linked to Israel in support of Palestinians.
Strait of Hormuz remains closed
The IRGC said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until what it described as “the end of America’s evils.”
Before the conflict began in February, about one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments passed through the Strait of Hormuz each day.
Analysts said Iran has also been trying to assert greater control over shipping through the strait and impose fees on vessels using the route, where the United States has long maintained a security presence.
Shipping data showed an increase in Iran-linked ships passing through the strait before the renewed US blockade on Iranian ports took effect.
Military exchanges continue
The IRGC said it had targeted command-and-control facilities, logistics sites, fuel depots and military equipment linked to the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain in response to the latest US strikes.
It also claimed attacks on a US logistics facility at Mina Abdullah in Kuwait and a US base at Azraq in Jordan, saying some US operations had been launched from Jordanian territory.
Kuwait’s state news agency later reported that firefighters had brought a blaze under control at a site targeted in the Iranian attacks, although it was not immediately clear if it was the same location referred to by the IRGC.
Jordan said its air defence systems intercepted and shot down three ballistic missiles that entered its airspace from Iran early on Wednesday.
Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said at least 30 civilians had been killed in recent days in US strikes on southern Iran, according to state media.
Iran’s army also said seven active-duty and conscript personnel were killed in overnight US strikes on the Bampur military base in the country’s southeast.
Trump warns of further strikes
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the United States could target Iranian power plants and bridges unless Tehran returned to negotiations.
“I’ll save the energy targets for last, but ultimately we’ll hit energy targets,” Trump said. He added that US negotiators had urged Iran to make a deal.
Earlier this week, Trump proposed a 20% fee on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz before dropping the idea a day later, saying he would instead pursue investment agreements with Gulf states.
References: scmp, france24
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