TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Since the U.S.–Israel strikes on Iran in late February, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has become one of the most defining global issues. Disruptions to the oil trade have shown little sign of easing and could worsen further following emerging threats involving another chokepoint in the maritime route, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The warning surfaced through an English-language post on X by Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. In the post, he wrote, “Today, the unified command of the Resistance front views Bab el-Mandeb as it does Hormuz. If the White House dares to repeat its foolish mistakes, it will soon realize that the flow of global energy and trade can be disrupted with a single move.”
What Is the Bab el-Mandeb Strait?
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is one of the world’s most important waterways, stretching between the northeast coast of Arabia (Yemen) and the southwest tip of Africa (Djibouti and Eritrea). Often referred to as the “Gate of Tears,” the strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
According to Britannica and Times of India, since the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has long served as a crucial route for sea trade between Europe and Asia. It allows ships to avoid the much longer and more costly journey around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope.
Why Is the Bab el-Mandeb Strait Important?
The importance of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is well established. As reported by Forbes, citing the U.S. Energy Information Administration, an estimated 4.1 million barrels of petroleum products passed through the strait each day in 2024. It also carries roughly 12% of global seaborne trade, according to The Nation Thailand.
While that figure is smaller compared to the Strait of Hormuz, its role as an alternative route for shipments between Europe and Asia becomes even more critical during times of geopolitical tension.
Why Is Iran threatening to Close the Babel-Mandeb Strait?
Iran’s signals about potentially targeting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait come in response to warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump. He suggested that should the Strait of Hormuz fail to reopen, the White House could escalate further by targeting Iran’s critical infrastructure, including power plants and bridges.
Although Iran does not border the Bab el-Mandeb Strait directly, its strong alliance with the Houthis of Yemen makes it possible for Tehran to block the route. As a result, the threat to disrupt this route is seen as a strategic move to increase pressure on global oil flows and international trade.
What Could Happen if the Bab el-Mandeb Strait Gets Closed?
The world has already been feeling the impact of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. If the Bab el-Mandeb Strait were to be blocked as well, the consequences could escalate significantly.
Ships would be forced to reroute around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, adding an estimated 10 to 15 days to their journeys and leading to higher fuel consumption and shipping costs. Ultimately, it would ripple across the global economy, affecting logistics, driving up oil prices, tightening supply, and raising the cost of everyday goods.
Read: IRGC: Strait of Hormuz Will Never Return to Its Former State
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