Reuters reports, citing three sources, that Iran has asked the Houthis in Yemen to prepare to close the oil route in the Red Sea should the United States attack Iranian power plants. The move would pose a serious threat to global energy supply, according to the report.
Reports now reports that Reuters, citing three sources, has confirmed that Iran asked the Houthis in Yemen to be ready to close the Red Sea oil route should the United States strike Iranian power plants. The report, cited by Israeli journalist Tal Sagi on N12, represents a significant step up in source corroboration from earlier updates in this thread. This development comes at 16:15 Jerusalem, as the situation continues to escalate.
The Zioneer's thread on this story began at 14:53 Jerusalem, when Reuters first reported, based on a single source, that Iran had ordered the Houthis to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait if the US attacks power plants. Within minutes, Israeli journalist Tomer Almagor (N12) corroborated the report. Subsequent versions at 14:53 included: a report that the Iranian leadership officially issued the directive; a Reuters confirmation with an Iranian source; a source close to the Houthis saying the group had completed preparations and that IRGC representatives in Yemen would decide the timing; and a final version citing Almagor again. The source base has now expanded from a single source to three distinct sources.
This latest report occurs against a broader backdrop of Iranian threats to use energy choke points as leverage. The Zioneer reported on Wed Jul 15 that Iran was preparing to deploy Houthis to block Bab el-Mandeb. On Mon Jul 13, Houthis reaffirmed full support for Iran and warned the US of consequences. On Sun Jun 28, Iran warned mediators it would plunge the entire region into darkness if its energy sites were struck. On Thu Jun 11, Iran threatened Gulf energy stations. Earlier today at 09:32 Jerusalem, the Iran-aligned 'Seal of the Prophets' command threatened to strike all regional infrastructure if the US hits Iran.
What remains open: the precise timing of any Houthi action remains at the discretion of IRGC representatives in Yemen, according to the earlier source. The US has not yet confirmed any decision to strike Iranian power plants, and the reports remain based on anonymous sources. No official confirmation from Tehran or the Houthis has been issued.
7 developments
- DevelopingIran preparing to use Houthis to block Bab el-Mandeb, The Zioneer assesses
- StrongHouthis threaten to strike Saudi oil facilities, warn of 'short time' for Riyadh to lift blockade
- DevelopingHouthi official threatens to close Bab el-Mandeb, says Iran will shut Hormuz if US pushes Saudi war
- DevelopingIran warns mediators it will black out the entire region if its energy sites are struck
Source and signal
- Internal intake