Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
An Iranian military source reported that Tehran may resort to opening a new front in Bab al-Mandab Strait if the “enemy” carries out any military action in southern Iran. This comes at a time when Iran continues to view the Houthi group in Yemen as a strategic pressure card that can be employed to enhance its regional influence, despite the difficult humanitarian situation Yemen has faced due to years of internal war.
The source added, in statements carried by the Iranian Tasnim news agency, that Iranian forces are closely monitoring potential enemy movements. He stressed that Iran retains “surprise” options for a response, including land and sea operations, aimed at raising the cost of any move against it in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.
The source pointed out that Bab al-Mandab Strait, linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, is one of the world’s most strategic straits. He stated that Iran possesses the capability to threaten it if Washington or Israel attempts “reckless” measures to resolve issues in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that this could create a new crisis affecting global maritime navigation.
The geostatistical importance of these straits lies in the fact that the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab are essential nodes in the global economy; approximately 20% of the world’s oil trade passes through Hormuz, while Bab al-Mandab connects the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and directly impacts the Suez Canal.
These statements reinforce reports from Hebrew media indicating that the Houthi group has recently bolstered its presence in the coastal city of Hudaidah, which may suggest preparations to enter a military campaign following the conclusion of the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
The group’s leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, previously stated that his group is ready to respond militarily to regional developments, declaring that “all options at the military level are possible,” and affirming his support for Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine.
Throughout two years of conflict in the Middle East, the Houthis have emerged as the most disruptive and resilient member of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” launching missiles and drones toward Israel while causing chaos by attacking ships in the Red Sea.
It is worth noting that American-Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28, resulting in reports of 1,300 deaths, including the Supreme Leader at the time, Ali Khamenei. Tehran responded by launching missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states hosting U.S. military assets.
