Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:55am on 15 Jul 2026,Wednesday International
Iran is signalling it could expand the ongoing conflict beyond the Strait of Hormuz by using Yemen's Houthi allies to threaten the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another critical global shipping route linking the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Analysts say the move would increase pressure on the United States by disrupting global trade and energy supplies. Houthi officials warned both chokepoints could be closed if hostilities escalate, potentially driving oil prices to $200 a barrel. Experts describe Bab el-Mandeb as Iran's last major strategic lever after Hormuz. However, analysts also caution that any attempt to block the waterway could trigger a broader US-led military response and further destabilise the region. (PC: NDTV)
