Iran is considering the Bab al-Mandab Strait as a strategic alternative to the Strait of Hormuz for disrupting global shipping [1].

This shift in focus matters because the Bab al-Mandab serves as a critical chokepoint for international trade. By targeting this area, Iran can exert pressure on regional adversaries and destabilize the flow of oil and goods without relying solely on its immediate coastline.

The Bab al-Mandab Strait is located at the southern entrance of the Red Sea, positioned between Yemen and the Horn of Africa [2]. At its narrowest point, the waterway measures 29 kilometers [3]. This geography makes it a vulnerable point for maritime traffic.

To achieve this objective, Iran is leveraging its alliance with the Houthi movement in Yemen [1]. The Houthi presence allows Tehran to project power far from its own borders, effectively creating a new front for potential maritime conflict [1].

Reports from April and June 2026 indicate that Iran views the strait as a tool for geopolitical leverage [1, 4]. The strategy aims to create a scenario where the threat of closure or disruption forces adversaries into concessions [1].

Unlike the Strait of Hormuz, which is directly controlled by Gulf states and monitored by international navies, the Bab al-Mandab is influenced by the volatile internal politics of Yemen [4]. The partnership between Iran and the Houthis provides a mechanism to threaten the passage of ships through this narrow corridor [1].

“Iran is eyeing the Bab al-Mandab Strait as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz”

The potential shift toward the Bab al-Mandab Strait represents a diversification of Iran's asymmetric warfare capabilities. By expanding its threat profile beyond the Strait of Hormuz, Iran reduces the risk of a single point of failure in its strategy to disrupt global trade. This forces international maritime coalitions to spread their naval resources across two distant chokepoints, potentially weakening the overall security of the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.