Iran tells Houthis to close Bab El-Mandeb strait if US hits power network: Reports

DUBAI: Iran has asked Yemen’s Houthi militia to stand ready to close the Bab El-Mandeb oil route if the United States strikes Iranian power infrastructure, three sources told Reuters on Thursday, posing a potent new ​threat to global energy supplies.

The idea has been discussed within the Islamic Republic’s leadership, and the message has been conveyed to Iran’s Houthi allies, two senior Iranian sources and a regional source familiar with the matter said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The sources said the Houthis had been informed recently of Tehran’s request, which has not been previously reported.

They did not give further details on how it had been conveyed or whether it was after US President Donald Trump’s threat to attack Iranian power infrastructure on Tuesday.