In a terrifying new development that could trigger a global energy catastrophe, Iran and its Houthi allies have signaled they are preparing to close a second critical maritime chokepoint — the Bab el-Mandeb Strait — in addition to their ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials and Houthi leaders have issued coordinated warnings that they will “completely shut down” the narrow Bab el-Mandeb pᴀssageway at the southern end of the Red Sea if U.S. and Israeli strikes continue. This would create a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly “Double Choke” on global oil supplies, cutting off nearly 30% of the world’s daily oil trade.
Houthi forces have already intensified attacks on ships in the Red Sea, while Iranian naval units maintain their stranglehold on Hormuz. Shipping giants are now rerouting vessels around the entire African continent, adding weeks to journeys and billions in extra costs.
Global oil prices spiked more than 11% in early trading amid fears of a full-scale energy crisis. Analysts warn that a successful “Double Choke” could push crude prices beyond $160 per barrel, triggering runaway inflation and severe fuel shortages worldwide.
The United States is showing clear signs of panic. With both the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln already damaged and operating under restrictions, and having burned through more than $11 billion in munitions in just two weeks, Washington is struggling to respond. Emergency meetings are reportedly underway at the Pentagon and White House as officials scramble to prevent a total collapse of energy routes.
Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s regime appears to have found its most powerful weapon yet — not just military force, but the ability to paralyze the global economy.
What began as a limited U.S.-Israeli campaign to neutralize Iran has now backfired spectacularly. Instead of breaking Tehran, Operation Epic Fury has pushed Iran and its proxies to threaten the lifeblood of the world economy.
The question the world is asking tonight is terrifyingly simple: Can America stop Iran from choking off the planet’s oil supply before it’s too late?
