Houthi Red Sea Blockade Threat Escalates Iran-US Tensions, Threatening Oil Supply

The conflict between Iran and the United States has entered a new phase with Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels declaring a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia. This move poses a significant threat to the stability of energy supply in the Middle East. The Houthi group announced it would blockade Saudi maritime transport, designating Saudi Arabia as an 'enemy' and 'criminal.' This action is based on the Houthis' claim that Saudi Arabia is besieging Yemen. If the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a key route to the Red Sea, is completely blocked, approximately 7% of the world's crude oil supply from the Middle East could be affected. With global oil supply already down by 10%, this blockade could further disrupt supply chains. The declaration initially caused a temporary spike in oil prices, which later subsided. Iran had reportedly instructed the Houthis to prepare for a blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb strait if the US continued to attack Iranian infrastructure. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict between Iran and the US are ongoing. Iran's Foreign Ministry acknowledged receiving a 10-day ceasefire proposal from mediating countries, indicating active diplomatic channels. Mediating nations, including Pakistan, are being urged to continue their role in facilitating a resolution to the Iran-US conflict. These diplomatic efforts come in the wake of a series of military actions, including US attacks on Iranian targets and attacks by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on US bases across the Middle East. The US has expressed dissatisfaction with the continuous casualties among its soldiers, with President Trump asserting that the recent strikes on Iran were to honor three US soldiers killed in an Iranian attack. Source: Koh Santepheap Khmer