# Iran urges Houthis to ready blockade of Red Sea shipping lane

Iran has reportedly called on Yemen’s Houthi militants to prepare to block the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a critical Red Sea chokepoint for global trade. The Houthis have previously attacked vessels in the region, raising concerns over whether they have the capability to enforce a full blockade. Such an action would threaten international shipping and escalate regional tensions.

**Importance:** 4/5

## Sources

### World
- [Fox News World](https://www.foxnews.com/world/iran-calls-houthis-prepare-cut-off-red-sea-gateway-can-terror-group-do-it) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 11:53:39 -0400
- [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/video/inside-story/2026/7/16/how-serious-is-irans-threat-to-disrupt-shipping-in-the-red-sea?traffic_source=rss) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 19:44:16 +0000
- [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/20/yemens-houthis-declare-naval-blockade-of-saudi-arabia-what-to-know?traffic_source=rss) — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:39:37 +0000
- [The Guardian World](https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/jul/21/us-iran-war-live-updates-strait-of-hormuz-attacks-houthis-blockade-red-sea-middle-east-crisis-latest-news) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 06:25:28 GMT
- [The Guardian World](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/21/houthis-threaten-attack-tankers-saudi-arabian-ports-red-sea-shipping) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:27:45 GMT