Photo: thereporterethiopia.com
According to Reuters, the IRGC’s statement was published by the state news agency IRNA after the U.S. resumed its naval blockade of Iranian ports. The document states that “regional energy exports must either be available to everyone or unavailable to anyone.”
Analysts believe that Tehran’s statement may indicate a willingness to use its ally, Ansar Allah (the Houthis), to threaten shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This strategic route connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and accounts for a significant portion of global oil supplies and maritime cargo shipments.
According to Iranian media reports, a Houthi representative stated that they were prepared to block the strait if Saudi Arabia continued its strikes on Yemen. He said such a scenario could cause global oil prices to rise to $200 per barrel.
Against the backdrop of these statements, the U.S. announced a new series of strikes against Iranian military infrastructure. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the operation is aimed at limiting Iran’s ability to attack commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. According to U.S. sources, Iran has attacked seven merchant ships over the past week, resulting in crew members killed, wounded, and missing.
Iranian authorities, in turn, reported civilian casualties. According to government spokesperson Fatimeh Mohajerani, at least 30 civilians were killed as a result of U.S. strikes on the southern part of the country. The military also reported the deaths of seven service members following a strike on the Bampur base.
For global markets, this escalation means increased risks in two key maritime routes at once—the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, through which a significant portion of global exports of oil, liquefied natural gas, and container shipments. Any disruption to shipping on these routes could lead to further increases in energy prices and higher global logistics costs.
