Houthi Threat: Bab Al-Mandab Closure Could Spike Oil Prices

Tensions in the Middle East are rising as the Iran-backed Houthis threaten to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital oil shipping route. This could send crude oil prices soaring. Houthi Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein al-Ezzi warns that if they decide to shut down the strait, it would be impossible to reopen it. The Bab al-Mandab is crucial for oil shipping from the Middle East to the Red Sea and is only 16 to 19 miles wide at its narrowest point. This threat comes after Iran claimed the Strait of Hormuz was “completely open,” only to reverse that statement soon after, citing ongoing tensions with the U.S. Meanwhile, Indian tankers faced gunfire from Iranian forces in the Hormuz Strait, prompting a government response. The Bab al-Mandab Strait, also known as the "Gate of Tears," is narrower than the Hormuz Strait and plays a key role in global oil supply. If shipping routes are disrupted, it could force vessels to reroute, significantly impacting oil prices and availability for everyone.