Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has cautioned that Iranian allies may close the Bab al-Mandeb sea route, mirroring Tehran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz. Al Jazeera reports the warning comes with the potential for severe repercussions. Closing both waterways simultaneously could disrupt a significant portion of global commerce.
Estimates suggest approximately a quarter of the world’s energy supply and a substantial volume of Asian exports destined for Europe could be affected. Akbar Velayati, a former Iranian foreign minister and a seasoned diplomat, issued a statement on X, Sunday, stating that “the unified front of the uprising looks at the Bab al-Mandeb the same way as the Hormuz Strait.”
Velayati, known for his influential role in Iranian foreign policy, warned that if the United States were to repeat past errors, it could face a critical disruption of global energy and trade flows. He contends that a single action could effectively sever this vital supply chain.
