Iran tells Houthis to block Red Sea route if US hits power infrastructure

Iran has instructed Yemen’s Houthi movement to prepare for the closure of the Red Sea oil route if the United States targets Iranian power infrastructure, according to multiple sources. The directive, which has not been previously reported, underscores escalating tensions in the Middle East and threatens to further destabilize global energy markets. The Houthis, Iran’s regional allies, are said to have deployed missiles and drones near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the gateway to the Red Sea, and are awaiting orders to act, according to a source close to the group.

The request from Tehran to the Houthis emerged amid heightened military activity between the U.S. And Iran. On July 16, 2026, the U.S. Launched daytime air strikes on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz, including coastal defense systems and missile storage facilities, according to a report from Yahoo News. In response, Iran fired missiles and drones at U.S. Allies in the region, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait. The Houthis, meanwhile, broke a four-year truce with Saudi Arabia by launching missile attacks after accusing the kingdom of bombing an airport under their control, as reported by Reuters.

The potential closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would compound the existing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran closed on February 28, 2026, following an attack by Israel and the U.S. The Hormuz strait, which once handled about a fifth of global oil and gas exports, remains largely shut, forcing ships to use alternative routes. The Red Sea, now carrying around 7% of global energy supplies, would become another critical choke point if the Houthis act on Tehran’s request, according to a source close to the Houthis.

Regional analysts warn that disrupting both straits would create a "double crisis" for global oil markets. "Any threat to the Red Sea and its Bab el-Mandeb gateway risks hugely exacerbating the global energy crisis," said Torbjorn Solvedt, a Middle East analyst with Verisk Maplecroft. "If fighting intensifies and spills over into Red Sea export infrastructure, it will threaten the only major alternative route for oil exports from the region," he added, as reported by Reuters.

The Houthis’ preparations for action are reportedly under the control of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has a significant presence in Yemen. A source close to the group stated that the Houthis had completed deployments near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and were "awaiting the order to begin," according to Reuters. The U.S. Has accused Iran of providing the Houthis with weapons, funding, and training, a claim Tehran denies, as noted in the same report.

The threat to the Red Sea comes as the U.S. Continues its naval blockade of Iran, which has led to a sharp rise in oil prices. Brent crude hovered above $84 per barrel on July 16, a 22% increase from the previous year, according to the New York Post. The U.S. Has also faced criticism from sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, who reportedly told U.S. Forces to "f–k off" after the military offered safe passage amid repeated attacks on vessels, as reported by the New York Post.

Iran’s leadership has framed the conflict as an "existential war" against the U.S., with officials emphasizing the need to defend national interests. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s top negotiator, stated that the country would not adhere to any agreement unless it "derives benefit" from it, according to a report from Yahoo News. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to target Iranian power plants, bridges, and even a nuclear facility, warning that "Hell will reign down on them" if Tehran does not comply, as cited in the same report.

The situation has also strained regional alliances. Saudi Arabia, which has diverted 70% of its energy exports through its Red Sea port of Yanbu, has taken the Houthis’ threats seriously. Two regional sources close to Riyadh noted that the kingdom is aware of the Yemeni group’s coordination with Iran over the Red Sea, according to Reuters. The Houthis, in turn, have reportedly begun working with Somali militant group al-Shabab to extend their influence along the waterway, aiming to pressure global markets and U.S. Policy, as reported by Yahoo News.

The U.S. Faces a difficult choice: either escalate military action to reopen the straits or risk further economic fallout. Analysts argue that a full-scale operation to secure the Strait of Hormuz would require thousands of ground troops, a scenario Trump has avoided. Instead, the administration has relied on limited strikes and diplomatic efforts, which have so far failed to de-escalate the conflict, according to Reuters.

As the crisis deepens, the global community watches closely. The potential closure of the Red Sea route could force shipping companies to reroute cargo around Africa, significantly increasing costs and delays. For now, the Houthis remain poised, their actions dictated by Tehran’s strategic calculations and the volatile dynamics of the Middle East war.