VIDEO After Hormuz, this other strategic strait in the war between Iran and the United States
The Bab Al-Mandab Strait, a strategic route for world trade, at the entrance to the Red Sea, is threatened with closure by the Houthis, Yemeni rebels supported by Iran. Initially in retreat since the start of strikes led by the United States and Israel on the country on February 28, 2026, the Houthis finally engaged more intensely alongside their Iranian allies. And this, for two reasons.
The first is that Iran wants to increase pressure on the United States. Despite the peace agreement signed by Donald Trump at the Palace of Versailles, France, on June 17, American strikes resumed on the night of July 7 to 8. The second reason concerns a historical enemy of the Yemeni rebels: Saudi Arabia, the world’s leading oil exporter. The peace process started in 2022 by the two parties today seems to be at an impasse.
This is why on July 23, 2026, these allies of Iran announced that they had carried out a “military operation” against “two tankers”flying the Saudi flag. And if the Houthis do not have the means to completely block this strategic strait, they have significant power of deterrence: “ These strikes have the effect of enormously limiting navigation in the Bab Al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea. Many ships, not knowing if this blockage is strictly targeted, will decide, taking into account the risk and ship insurance costs, to no longer use this sea route. », explains Hélène Sallon, correspondent for World in the Middle East.
