Iran says it has fully closed Bab el-Mandab Strait following Israeli strikes (IMAGE: X)
US-IRAN WAR: Iran says it’s closed off the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandab. Word from someone close to Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf, passed along by state media, is that Iran’s next step will be hitting oil and energy sites in U.S.-friendly Gulf countries. They’re saying this is payback for Israel’s strike on the Mahshahr petrochemical complex. Ali Akbar Velayati, who advises Mojtaba Khamenei, the new supreme leader, came out and warned that the “resistance axis” can shut down both Bab al-Mandab and the Strait of Hormuz if things get hotter in the region.
🚨 URGENT | Yemeni Armed Forces:
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait has been completely closed to the Israeli enemy in the Red Sea, in solidarity with Lebanon and Iran.
🔥 The situation is extremely tense. pic.twitter.com/HLiW7xWe6B
— China in English (@En_chinaNewsX) June 8, 2026
Ali Akbar Velayati posted on X, “Just because Bab al-Mandab feels secure today doesn’t mean you should misjudge. The resistance is ready to lock down both passages. It’s your call: stop the nonsense, or face strict control over the straits.”
On top of that, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants announced a new attack on Israel on Monday, June 8, and said ships linked to Israel are again fair game in the Red Sea. That puts the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the narrow Bab al-Mandab Strait that connects them all at immediate risk.
1) As predicted days ago, the missile response has materialized of the “Dhat al-Salasil” kind. Today’s recklessness by the regime in #Beirut and its blatant violation of the ceasefire activated the first link in our chain response.
— Aliakbar Velayati (@Drvelayati_ir) June 7, 2026
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is an important choke point in the world for shipping trade between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. It is crucial for international trade and energy security as it is the necessary southern route to the Suez Canal of Egypt.
Global Trade & Container Traffic: About 10 – 12% of the world’s trade and approximately a quarter of the world’s container traffic travel through the strait.
This route is used by goods transport between Asia, Europe and the Americas. It is one of the most critical corridors for the transport of crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products in the world. The strait is a vital passage for millions of barrels of oil to pass through each day from the Persian Gulf to international markets. The strait is extremely narrow (only 29 km wide at its narrowest point) and therefore very vulnerable to disruption.
When blocked or under threat, e.g. in regional conflicts, ships must circle around the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. This detour puts 10 to 14 days of transit time on the bills, which increases fuel, insurance and freight expenses.
ALSO READ: Maritime Crisis in Arabian Sea: Vessel With 24 Indian Crew Members Attacked, Faces Sinking Risk
With 13 years on the line, Ashish Kumar Singh loves everything when it comes to movies, music, travel and pop culture. Formerly employed at ANI, Pinkvilla, India Today and HT, Ashish has interviewed some of the top celebrities of India, including Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Ranveer Singh, Ranbir Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan, among others. Breaking news excites him and deadlines are what he chases. Interviewing comes naturally to him. Hit him up at ashish.kumar02singh@gmail.com.
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