Key Takeaways
- Iran has asked Yemen’s Houthi movement to prepare to close the Red Sea oil route.
- The instruction was conveyed to Iran’s Houthi allies and discussed within Tehran’s leadership.
- Any threat to the Red Sea could exacerbate the global energy crisis.
Iran has instructed Yemen’s Houthi movement to stand ready to close the Red Sea oil route if the United States strikes Iranian power infrastructure, according to sources speaking on condition of anonymity. The instruction was conveyed to Iran’s Houthi allies and discussed within Tehran’s leadership.
The move poses a significant threat to global energy supplies, as the Red Sea is one of the main routes for Middle Eastern oil exports. With the Strait of Hormuz already closed by Iran due to ongoing tensions, any disruption in the Red Sea could further complicate the global energy crisis.
A source close to the Houthis stated that the group had completed preparations to attack shipping by deploying missiles and drones near Bab el-Mandeb strait, the gateway to the Red Sea. The strait is located in Yemen’s highlands overlooking Hodeidah and the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis are awaiting orders to commence their operations.
The conflict escalated on February 28 when Israel and the United States launched attacks against Iran, leading Tehran to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil exports before the war. This move by Iran has already disrupted global energy markets, and any additional disruptions could have severe economic consequences.
Torbjorn Solvedt, principal Middle East analyst with risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft, warned that if fighting intensifies and spills over into Red Sea export infrastructure and shipping, it will threaten the only major alternative route for oil exports from the region. He stated, 'If fighting intensifies and spills over into Red Sea export infrastructure and shipping, it will threaten the only major alternative route for oil exports from the region.'
The conflict has also seen an escalation in tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. In a recent incident, the Houthis fired missiles at Saudi Arabia after accusing the kingdom of bombing an airport under their control on Monday, breaking a four-year truce in the conflict.
Two regional sources close to Riyadh confirmed that the kingdom was taking threats from Iran and the Houthis very seriously. They added that Riyadh was aware of the Yemeni group’s coordination with Iran over the Red Sea. This development underscores the complex and volatile nature of the region's conflicts, which could have far-reaching implications for global energy markets.
The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between major powers in the Middle East and the potential for further escalation. As the conflict continues to unfold, it is crucial for all parties involved to maintain dialogue and seek peaceful resolutions to avoid exacerbating the global energy crisis.
If fighting intensifies and spills over into Red Sea export infrastructure and shipping, it will threaten the only major alternative route for oil exports from the region.
Torbjorn Solvedt, Principal Middle East analyst with Verisk Maplecroft
