Iran threatens key Red Sea strait if US launches ground operation

Iran on Wednesday threatened the safety of vessels attempting to pass through a key Red Sea strait amid the Strait of Hormuz’s closure. 

The Bab el-Mandeb strait, located approximately in between Yemen and Djibouti, is 1,200 miles off the Strait of Hormuz and could be subject to military threats from Iran’s proxies.

“We are constantly monitoring and keeping an eye on the enemy front’s preparations and developments,” one military source told Iran’s Tasnim News Agency.

“If the enemy wants to take action on land in the Iranian islands or anywhere else in our lands or to inflict costs on Iran with naval movements in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of ​​Oman, we will open other fronts for them as a surprise so that their action will not only be of no benefit to them but will also double their costs,” the person added.

The Houthis, who are based in Yemen and backed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, could soon become involved with the U.S. war in Iran if vessels attempt to pass through Bab el-Mandeb. 

President Trump has signaled a willingness to de-escalate conflict in the region, proposing a 15-point ceasefire plan to limit Iran’s ballistic missiles and nuclear capabilities while providing sanction relief. 

Leaders in Tehran have rejected the proposal and said the war will end on their time and their terms. Iran has submitted a counterproposal seeking war reparations, an end to aggression from both the U.S. and Israel in addition to assurances that a new war will not emerge on the same terms. 

Iran has also requested that it’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz be recognized.

Some shipping companies are considering using Bab el-Maneb as an alternate passageway for oil transports out of the region. Bab el-Maneb is responsible for 10 percent of seaborne trade but has also seen violence in recent years, including incidents in 2023 and 2024 when the Houthis fired anti-ship missiles at U.S. Navy vessels. 

Tasnim’s military source on Wednesday said Tehran has the ability to create a “completely credible threat” against ships in the strait.

“Therefore, if the Americans want to think of a solution for the Strait of Hormuz with stupid measures, they should be careful not to add another strait to their problems and predicaments,” the person added.

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