Reuters reports, citing three sources, that Iran has instructed the Houthis in Yemen to be ready to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait if the United States attacks Iranian power plants. The Houthis have reportedly completed preparations, including deploying missiles and drones in the area, and IRGC officers in Yemen would decide the timing of any closure, according to a source close to the group.
The report, carried by Reuters and relayed by N12 correspondents Amit Segal and Asaf Rozentzweig, marks a significant escalation in the standoff between the US and Iran. Tehran has instructed the Houthis to be prepared to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait — a critical chokepoint for global oil and trade — if the United States follows through on threats to strike Iranian power plants. The directive was reportedly discussed at the highest levels of the Iranian leadership and passed to the Houthi leadership.
A source close to the Houthis told Reuters that the group has completed operational preparations, including deploying missiles and drones in the vicinity of the strait. The timing of any closure would be decided by IRGC officers already stationed in Yemen, according to the source. The Houthis themselves have threatened in recent days to close the strait, and this instruction formalizes the contingency.
As The Zioneer reported earlier today (Thursday, 16:16 Jerusalem), Iran had asked the Houthis to be ready to close the Red Sea oil route in the event of a US attack. The current report adds details on the chain of command and the Houthis' readiness. The situation remains fluid; no US strike on Iranian power plants has been reported, and the threat is conditional.
8 developments
- DevelopingIran preparing to use Houthis to block Bab el-Mandeb, The Zioneer assesses
- DevelopingIsrael strikes Iran, reports of Houthi threat to close Bab el-Mandeb
- DevelopingHouthi official threatens to close Bab el-Mandeb, says Iran will shut Hormuz if US pushes Saudi war
- DevelopingHouthis announce readiness to strike vessels near Bab el-Mandeb, Reuters reports
Source and signal
- Internal intake