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Yemen's Houthi movement has confirmed its readiness to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital shipping lane connecting the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, in response to US President Donald Trump's policies in the region. The warning, delivered by a senior Houthi official, underscores escalating tensions and raises fears of a global energy crisis.

Coverage Comparison

Two reports from TASS, the Russian state news agency, provided the primary accounts of this development. The first, published on April 19, quotes Hussein al-Ezzi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Houthi-formed government, who stated on social media that if Sanaa decides to close the strait, "neither people nor jinn will be able to open it." He called on Trump and those who appease him to "immediately put an end to all actions and policies that hinder peace and show the necessary respect for the rights of our people and our country." This report also referenced an earlier warning from Mohammed Mansour, Deputy Minister of Information in the Houthi government, who on April 2 said the movement may close the strait not only in the event of an escalation against Iran but also to safeguard Lebanon's Hezbollah movement.

The second TASS report, dated April 7, offers an analytical perspective, citing an unnamed senior Iranian official who claimed that the risk of a Bab el-Mandeb closure, along with the outcome of a rescue operation for a downed US F-15 pilot near Isfahan, is pushing Washington toward dialogue with Iran. This official, quoted via Al Mayadeen TV, asserted that the Trump administration takes the Houthi threats "very seriously" and that the US is "aware of the scale of the possible defeat following the failure of the special operation in Isfahan."

Both reports emanate from TASS, which is known for reflecting official Russian government positions. The framing differs: the first is a direct report of a Houthi threat, while the second is more analytical, focusing on US motivations and possible Iranian calculations. There is no indication of independent verification from other outlets in the provided material.

Key Claims

  • Houthi readiness to close the strait: The Houthis have confirmed their willingness to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, citing US policies that "hinder peace." This claim is attributed directly to Hussein al-Ezzi and was carried by TASS.
  • Potential energy crisis: The closure could trigger a significant rise in energy prices, with oil potentially reaching $200 per barrel. This prediction was first made by Houthi official Mohammed Mansour and echoed by the unnamed Iranian official, who said prices would rise "significantly in the very first days" of a closure. This remains a projection rather than a confirmed event.
  • US seeking talks with Iran: The second TASS report suggests the US is motivated to engage with Iran due to the strait threat and the aftermath of the Isfahan incident. This is presented as the view of a senior Iranian official, not an official US position, and has not been independently verified.
  • US awareness of "defeat": The unnamed official claimed Washington recognizes the scale of its potential defeat after the failed operation in Isfahan. This is a single-source assertion, attributed to an anonymous Iranian source, and should be treated as an adversarial perspective rather than a confirmed fact.

Perspectives

The Houthi perspective, as conveyed by al-Ezzi, frames the closure threat as a defensive measure against US policies that obstruct peace and disrespect Yemeni sovereignty. The tone is firm, with a religious allusion—"neither people nor jinn"—emphasizing the severity of the threat.

The Iranian official's perspective, as reported by TASS and Al Mayadeen, portrays the US as a party facing strategic difficulties, both in the Red Sea and in the aftermath of the Isfahan operation. The official's remarks suggest that Washington's military options are limited, potentially driving it toward diplomatic engagement with Tehran.

A broader regional perspective, hinted at in the Houthi warning about Hezbollah, indicates that the strait closure is not only a response to US policies toward Iran but also a potential lever to protect allied groups in Lebanon. This adds a layer of complexity to the situation, suggesting that the closure threat is part of a wider regional dynamic involving Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon.

While TASS reports these statements without commentary, its role as a state-affiliated agency means it may align with narratives favorable to Russia, which has its own geopolitical interests in the region. Readers should note that the claims attributed to the Iranian official are based on an anonymous source, limiting their verifiability.

Timeline and Context

  • April 2: Houthi official Mohammed Mansour warns of a possible closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, citing escalation against Iran and the need to safeguard Hezbollah.
  • April 7: A senior Iranian official tells Al Mayadeen that the US is seeking talks with Iran due to the strait threat and the Isfahan incident.
  • April 19: Houthi Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein al-Ezzi publicly confirms the movement's readiness to close the strait, issuing a direct challenge to Trump.
The Isfahan incident, referenced by the Iranian official, appears to involve a downed US F-15 aircraft and a rescue operation, but details remain unclear in the provided material. The sequence of events suggests an ongoing cycle of threats and counter-narratives, with both sides seeking to shape international perception.

As of the latest report, there is no indication that the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has been closed, and the situation remains one of heightened rhetoric rather than confirmed action. However, the potential economic consequences of any disruption to this chokepoint—through which a substantial portion of global oil trade passes—underscore the seriousness of these threats.