As the United States resumes a maritime blockade against Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has threatened to close all export routes that benefit the U.S. and its allies.
In a statement released through state media on July 15 (local time), the IRGC warned, "Since the enemies have blocked global oil and gas export routes using their own piracy, they must be prepared for other oil and gas export routes that benefit the U.S. and its allies to be blocked as well."
The IRGC added, "Regional oil and gas exports will either be for everyone, or for no one."
Reuters analyzed that this warning from the IRGC appears to signal that it could use the Houthi rebels, an Iranian-backed militant group, to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a gateway to the Red Sea.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a narrow maritime passage connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, through which a significant portion of Saudi Arabia's oil exports and global maritime shipping passes.
According to Iran's Press TV, a senior Houthi official warned on July 13 that they are prepared to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait if Saudi Arabia continues its attacks on Yemen, adding that such a move could cause oil prices to soar to 200 dollars per barrel.
The Houthi rebels declared the end of a four-year fragile truce and fired missiles toward Saudi Arabia after accusing the kingdom of bombing Sanaa airport, the Yemeni capital under their control.
The Houthi rebels have already demonstrated their ability to tighten the chokehold on global trade by attacking commercial vessels passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, the Houthis have targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea, claiming to support the Iranian-backed militant group Hamas.
Previously, Iran asserted control over the Strait of Hormuz and attacked commercial vessels that attempted to pass through the strait while deviating from routes designated by Tehran.
In response, the U.S. military conducted targeted strikes on Iranian military objectives near the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian coast. In retaliation, Iran has launched counterattacks on U.S. military facilities in countries including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Jordan.
Amid these developments, U.S. President Donald Trump resumed the maritime blockade against Iran on this day.
President Trump threatened that if Iran does not resume negotiations, he would strike Iranian power plants and bridges next week.
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