Iran Now Threatening To Close Bab Al-Mandeb Strait After Trump Threats

 

Ali Akbar Velayati, a counselor to Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, claimed in an English-language post on X that the U.S. opposition “views Bab al-Mandeb as it does Hormuz”—the vital oil-transport route Iran has essentially closed to sea commerce as the conflict with the United States and Israel continues.

Iran does not border the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, but Yemen does, and Iran has strong ties to the Houthis, a militant group in Yemen that carried out numerous attacks in the Red Sea in 2023 and 2024 against ships connected to Israel in retaliation for the Gaza conflict.

The Houthis began launching missiles at military targets in Israel in late March.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused global oil prices to skyrocket and has pushed average gasoline prices in the U.S. above $4 per gallon, according to GasBuddy data.

An Iranian official threatened the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a narrow waterway dividing Yemen from Africa and providing a critical trading route from the Red Sea, if the U.S. “dares to repeat its foolish mistakes,” threatening further disruptions to global trade The statement came hours after President Donald Trump again threatened Iran’s power plants and bridges over Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Today, the unified command of the Resistance front views Bab al-Mandeb as it does Hormuz,” Velayati wrote. This could refer to Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” the loosely aligned groups of militias and other groups supported by Iran, which include the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Kata’ib Hezbollah in Iraq. “If the White House dares to repeat its foolish mistakes, it will soon realize that the flow of global energy and trade can be disrupted with a single move,” Velayati added.

In WHY IS THE BAB AL-MANDEB STRAIT IMPORTANT?

The closure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait could further disrupt global trade, blocking yet another chokepoint for the petroleum exporting nations to ship oil and natural gas out of the region. An estimated 4.1 million barrels of petroleum products traveled through the strait per day in 2024, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency. In comparison, about 20 million barrels traveled through the Strait of Hormuz in 2025, according to the International Energy Agency. The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is one of the alternative routes for petroleum exporters to ship oil to Asia. About 7 million barrels of oil is now shipped to the Saudi Arabian city of Yanbu, a port on the Red Sea, through a pipeline, ABC News reported citing data from maritime intelligence firm Kpler. The oil that reaches Yanbu then transits through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

$150 per barrel. That’s how high oil prices could climb if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, analysts at JPMorgan told Reuters last week. In the short term, the closure could spike oil prices to $120-$130 per barrel—up from Sunday’s price of $109.05 per barrel. The price could reach higher if the disruptions continued through mid-May, according to the analysts. Closure of the Bab al-Mandeb could contribute to even greater price spikes, ABC News reported citing JPMorgan analysts. Weeks earlier, Iran warned the price for oil could top $200 per barrel if the war continued.

The Houthis have not attacked vessels in the Bab al-Mandeb yet, instead targeting Israel with missiles, but analysts who spoke to Politico and Al Jazeera predicted the group could start targeting ships in the strait, similar to the campaign they undertook in recent years during the Gaza war. Earlier in March, Iran’s state-affiliated Tasnim News Agency quoted an Iranian military source that threatened “insecurity” in the Bab al-Mandeb and Red Sea if the U.S. struck Iran’s Kharg Island. Outside of oil, the Bab al-Mandeb, located on the sea route to Asia after passing through the Suez Canal, sees about 12% of all global trade, the Associated Press reported. English language post on X, Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, said the U.S. opposition “views Bab al-Mandeb as it does Hormuz”—the key oil-transport route Iran has effectively closed to maritime traffic as the war with the U.S. and Israel drags on.

Although Iran does not border the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, Yemen does, and Iran is closely allied with the Houthis, the Yemeni militant group that previously conducted dozens of strikes against Israel-linked vessels in the Red Sea in 2023 and 2024 in response to the war in Gaza.

From Rap to Reform: How Balendra Shah Is Shaking Up Nepal’s Political Establishment

 

In a political landscape long dominated by traditional parties and entrenched elites, Balendra Shahs popularly known as “Balen” has emerged as an unlikely disruptor. Born on 27th April 1990, A structural engineer by training and a former rapper who gained recognition in Nepal’s underground music scene, Shah’s rise to become mayor of Kathmandu represents a broader shift in public sentiment: frustration with the status quo and a growing appetite for technocratic, results-driven leadership.

Shah first built his public profile not through politics, but through music.

As a rapper, he was known for socially conscious lyrics that criticized corruption, inequality, and poor governance. That outsider perspective would later become central to his political appeal. When he contested the mayoral election as an independent candidate, many initially dismissed his chances. Yet, his message resonated deeply—particularly among young voters—propelling him to a landmark victory against candidates from established political parties.

Since assuming office, Shah has moved quickly to assert authority and challenge long-standing inefficiencies within the Kathmandu Metropolitan City administration. His governance style has been marked by decisiveness, visibility, and a willingness to confront entrenched interests.

One of his early and most controversial actions was a crackdown on illegal structures and unauthorized constructions across the city. While the move drew resistance from business owners and political actors, it also earned him praise from residents frustrated by years of unregulated urban sprawl.

Beyond enforcement, Shah has emphasized urban order, sanitation, and digital governance. Efforts to improve waste management, streamline city services, and introduce greater transparency in municipal operations have signaled a shift toward modern city administration. His use of social media as a governance tool—communicating directly with citizens, issuing directives, and providing updates—has further distinguished him from traditional politicians.

However, Shah’s approach has not been without criticism. Some argue that his methods can be overly rigid or lack the political finesse required to build consensus. Others question whether rapid enforcement actions are being matched with sustainable, long-term urban planning solutions. Yet even critics acknowledge that his tenure has injected urgency and accountability into a system often criticized for inertia.

What makes Shah’s story particularly compelling is what it represents beyond Kathmandu. His rise reflects a broader global pattern: the entry of non-traditional figures into politics, often leveraging public frustration and digital platforms to bypass party structures.

In Nepal, where political instability and governance challenges have persisted for decades, Shah’s leadership offers a glimpse of an alternative model, one rooted in technocracy, civic engagement, and personal credibility.

Ultimately, whether Balendra Shah can sustain momentum and translate disruption into lasting institutional reform remains an open question. But one thing is clear: the former rapper has already changed the tone of governance in Kathmandu, proving that unconventional backgrounds can sometimes produce the most unexpected—and impactful—leaders