Iran tells Houthis to close Red Sea gateway if US hits its power network

In mid-July 2026, Iran instructed Yemen's Houthi group to prepare to close the Bab el-Mandeb strait — a key Red Sea shipping route — if the United States strikes Iran's power infrastructure, according to multiple sources. The order appears to be a contingency plan amid escalating tensions between Iran and the US.

The Houthis, who control parts of Yemen, have previously attacked ships in the Red Sea during the Israel-Hamas war. The strait is a critical passage for oil and cargo traffic. There is no indication the order has been carried out, but the report highlights how Iran may use allied groups to pressure the US in a potential conflict.