Iran asked the Houthis to block Bab-el-Mandeb — Reuters

Iran has asked the Houthis to block Bab-el-Mandeb in the event of a US attack on the country's energy structure. It is reported by Reuters, citing sources.

"Iran has called on the Houthi movement in Yemen to be ready to close the oil route through the Red Sea if the US strikes Iran's energy infrastructure, three sources said..., which poses a serious new threat to global energy supplies," the agency reports.

The idea was discussed within the leadership of Iran and the request was passed on to Iran's allies, the Houthis, said two senior Iranian sources and a regional source familiar with the situation.

According to sources, the Houthis were informed about Tehran's request recently, but did not provide additional details, in particular whether this happened after US President Donald Trump threatened to attack Iranian energy infrastructure on Tuesday.

"A source close to the Houthis said that the group has completed preparations for an attack on shipping by placing missiles and drones near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the gateway to The Red Sea, in the highlands of Yemen overlooking Hodeidah and the Gulf of Aden, and waiting for the order to begin… Since the Strait of Hormuz has already been closed, any Houthi attacks on ships or ports in the Red Sea will simultaneously disrupt the two main oil routes of the Middle East, opening a new front both in the energy crisis and in the broader conflict between Iran and the United States," the publication says.

As reported by EADaily, the Yemeni Hussites intend to block the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait simultaneously with the cessation of the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz by decision of Iran. This was reported by YNP.