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According to a report by the Times of Israel on Thursday July 16, 2026, Iran has reportedly instructed Yemen’s Houthi movement to be ready to disrupt shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait if the United States launches strikes on Iranian power infrastructure, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
The sources, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the proposal has been discussed within Iran’s leadership and that the message has already been passed to the Tehran-backed Houthi group. Two senior Iranian sources and another regional source said the request was communicated recently, although they did not explain how it was delivered or exactly when.
The reported contingency plan follows heightened tensions after US President Donald Trump warned that Washington could target Iran’s power infrastructure, though the sources were unable to confirm whether Iran’s communication to the Houthis came before or after those remarks.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry and a spokesperson for the Houthis did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
According to another source close to the Houthi movement, the group has already completed military preparations for possible attacks on commercial shipping. The source said missiles and drones have been positioned near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with launch sites located in Yemen’s highlands overlooking Hodeidah and the Gulf of Aden.
The source said the Houthis are now awaiting orders before beginning any operations.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and serving as a key route for global oil and commercial shipping. Any disruption there could significantly worsen pressure on international energy markets, particularly after Iran’s reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of a broader regional escalation with worldwide economic consequences.
