Iran keeps Strait of Hormuz blocked, and threatens another key waterway

Iran is maintaining a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz while threatening to target the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a second critical Middle East shipping corridor. The Strait of Hormuz, which sits between Iran and Oman, is one of the world's most strategically important waterways, carrying roughly one-fifth of global seaborne oil trade. Iran's control over the passage gives it significant leverage over global energy markets and international commerce. The threat to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—which connects the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and serves as a passage for ships traveling between Asia and Europe—signals Iran is escalating its use of maritime chokepoints as a pressure tactic. The dual threat raises alarm among global shipping interests and energy-dependent nations already facing supply chain disruptions.