Iran has officially shut down the Bab al-Mandab Strait to maritime traffic, cutting off a waterway that handles roughly 12% of global trade. The move comes as a direct response to Israeli military strikes and represents a dramatic escalation in a conflict that has already choked off one of the world’s most important oil corridors.
The Strait of Hormuz has already been effectively closed for over three months. Shutting down Bab al-Mandab means Iran now has its hands around two of the world’s most vital shipping arteries at the same time.
Two straits, one massive problem
The Bab al-Mandab Strait, nestled between Yemen and the Horn of Africa, had become a critical lifeline precisely because the Hormuz closure forced Saudi Arabia and other regional producers to reroute significant oil volumes through it. That backup plan just evaporated.
Threats to shut down Bab al-Mandab have circulated since around March and April 2026, with Houthi statements aligning closely with broader Iranian strategic messaging.
