# Bab al-Mandab blockade threat pushes oil back above $100

Fear of a blockade at the Bab al-Mandab strait, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, has driven crude prices above $100 per barrel. The geopolitical tension threatens to disrupt supply routes, impacting energy markets worldwide and raising costs for consumers and industries.

**Importance:** 4/5

## Sources

### Business
- [The Guardian Biz](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jul/23/bab-al-mandab-blockade-push-oil-100-houthi-ships) — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:04:11 GMT