Iran's New Trump Card: Bab al-Mandeb Strait Threatens Global Oil Supply

• Iran, despite losing leaders, has not been subdued by Trump's actions, and now eyes a new choke point for oil supply.
• After threatening the Strait of Hormuz, Iran is now leveraging the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a critical gateway to the Red Sea.
• The Bab al-Mandeb Strait handles 12% of the world's crude oil trade, and its closure would significantly impact global supply chains.
• Iran's Houthi rebel proxies in Yemen could block the 20-mile-wide passage using missiles and drones, despite US, China, and France having military bases nearby.
• Closure of both Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb would force oil tankers to circumnavigate Africa, causing 10-14 day delays, skyrocketing oil prices, and increased shipping costs, impacting global inflation and the Suez Canal's utility.