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Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(135,957 posts) Tue Apr 7, 2026, 01:27 PM Tuesday

Iran threatens Bab al-Mandeb closure: How would that affect world trade?

A top adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has threatened that Iranian allies could shut the Bab al-Mandeb shipping route as Tehran has effectively done with the Strait of Hormuz.

The Bab-al-Mandeb connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is a crucial waterway for global oil trade. Its importance has increased since Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz – through which 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas is shipped in peacetime.

Ali Akbar Velayati, a former Iranian foreign minister and veteran diplomat known for his influence within the establishment, warned on Sunday on X that “the unified command of the Resistance front views Bab al-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,” Velayati wrote. Iran’s state-owned Press TV subsequently confirmed his warning.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/iran-threatens-bab-al-mandeb-114904345.html

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Iran threatens Bab al-Mandeb closure: How would that affect world trade? (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Tuesday OP

Well, well leftstreet Tuesday #1

I thought Trump and Hegseth held all the cards? Irish_Dem Tuesday #2

I think trump and his minions were surprised that Iran had more than camels 🐫 and swords. Srkdqltr Tuesday #3

Houthis are going to have a tougher time of pulling that off. maxsolomon Tuesday #4

All they need to achieve are hits on a couple of ships. WestMichRad Tuesday #5

Yes, that's all they need. maxsolomon Tuesday #6

Why would it be harder for them? WestMichRad Tuesday #7

Yemen's drones and missile stores have been under attack for a year-plus. maxsolomon Tuesday #8

leftstreet

(40,887 posts)

1. Well, well

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Tue Apr 7, 2026, 01:39 PM

Tuesday

The Houthis closing a crucial waterway

Player 3 has entered the game

Irish_Dem

(81,520 posts)

2. I thought Trump and Hegseth held all the cards?

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Tue Apr 7, 2026, 01:56 PM

Tuesday

The strongest military in the world is being outsmarted by much lower ranked militaries.

Who would've thought such a thing could happen.
The generals who were fired probably thought of it.

Srkdqltr

(9,785 posts)

3. I think trump and his minions were surprised that Iran had more than camels 🐫 and swords.

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Tue Apr 7, 2026, 02:00 PM

Tuesday

And could speak threats.

maxsolomon

(38,812 posts)

4. Houthis are going to have a tougher time of pulling that off.

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Tue Apr 7, 2026, 02:03 PM

Tuesday

Maybe a little wishful thinking and saber-rattling by the Iranians.

WestMichRad

(3,280 posts)

5. All they need to achieve are hits on a couple of ships.

Reply to maxsolomon (Reply #4)

Tue Apr 7, 2026, 02:17 PM

Tuesday

Commercial traffic through the Suez Canal would then virtually cease.

maxsolomon

(38,812 posts)

6. Yes, that's all they need.

Reply to WestMichRad (Reply #5)

Tue Apr 7, 2026, 02:20 PM

Tuesday

I didn't say it was impossible, just that it would be harder for the Houthis to do.

WestMichRad

(3,280 posts)

7. Why would it be harder for them?

Reply to maxsolomon (Reply #6)

Tue Apr 7, 2026, 02:39 PM

Tuesday

Iran has been supplying them with drones and missiles. Commercial ships lack the defensive capabilities that American naval forces have.

maxsolomon

(38,812 posts)

8. Yemen's drones and missile stores have been under attack for a year-plus.

Reply to WestMichRad (Reply #7)

Tue Apr 7, 2026, 02:47 PM

Tuesday

They don't have an impenetrable mountain redoubt to fire missiles from like Iran does. I don't know what their capacity to mine the area is, or what they have in the way of explosives-laden speed boats manned by Shiite suicide pilots.

If they could shut it down, why haven't they done it already? We're months into this war. Now is the time.

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