Iran has warned that a major attack by the United States could trigger a wider escalation in the region, including a possible move to shut down a critical global shipping route.
A senior Iranian official said Tehran may rely on its allies, the Houthis in Yemen, to take control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic passage linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
The move could significantly disrupt global trade, as an estimated $1 trillion worth of goods passes through the route each year.
The official issued a direct warning about the consequences of rising tensions, telling Reuters, “If the situation gets out of control, [Tehran’s] allies will also close Bab el-Mandeb waterway.”
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, used by ships transporting oil and goods between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Any disruption there could have far-reaching economic and security impacts.
