Iran opens a new front in the Strait of Mandeb, analysis: could further deal a blow to the global economy, Israel faces more difficulties

Ask AI · How might the new Mandeb Strait frontline affect global trade corridors?

On March 28, a spokesperson for Yemen’s Houthis, Yahya al-Sareya, said the Houthis fired missiles at Israel in support of Iran and others. Israeli military authorities later said they had successfully intercepted the missile.

▲ On March 28, 2026 local time, in Hebron, West Bank, Jordan River, a missile was launched from Yemen toward Israel. Photo via ICphoto

In a statement, al-Sareya said that since the war began on February 28, the Houthis had for the first time launched an attack with a “powerful ballistic missile” against sensitive military targets in Israel, aiming to support their allies’ resistance efforts. He said the operation took place after the United States and Israel continued to strike infrastructure in Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, and the Palestinian territories, emphasizing that “the operation will continue until the aggression stops.”

Earlier, on March 27 local time, al-Sareya had issued a statement saying the Houthis would take corresponding measures according to developments and warned that if the situation further escalated, or if new military actions occurred and the relevant waters were used for military purposes, the Houthis would reserve the right to take all actions.

Iran and the Houthis have close ties, and Iran has long provided them with weapons and financial support, but since 2014 the Houthis have not directly become involved in the U.S.-Israel war against Iran. In October 2023, in retaliation for Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis began attacking Red Sea shipping routes, severely disrupting Red Sea maritime transport.

Meanwhile, Mohammed al-Buheiti, a member of the political bureau of the Yemeni Houthis, also said that to support Iran, the organization may take measures to blockade the Mandeb Strait. An Iranian military source said that if the enemy tried to carry out ground actions against Iranian islands or the mainland, or to apply pressure in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman through naval operations, Iran would open a new frontline in the Mandeb Strait.

▲ Houthis gather at the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah

The Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. It is an important “choke point” route linking the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean, and the Indian Ocean, and is seen as a “water corridor” connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa—making it strategically significant for global oil and goods transport. After Iran effectively blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, the Mandeb Strait became especially critical for maritime traffic heading to the Suez Canal. (Previous report: “Set traps on the island and block both ends by sea! Iran lays a net of traps—will the Mandeb Strait become a new ‘bloodletting’ point for the U.S. economy?”)

Mohammed al-Masri, a professor of media studies at the Doha Graduate School, believes the Houthis’ entry into the war against Iran is “highly significant.” He said: “Over the past two and a half years, we have already seen that the Houthis have considerable strength. If they decide to close the Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea, and ultimately affect the Suez Canal, then two major shipping choke points will be blocked at the same time worldwide.”

Al-Masri further explained: “These are all major international trade shipping routes. From this perspective, the impact is extremely significant.”

Analysts say that in addition to Iran and Hezbollah, the opening of this new frontline could create more difficulties for Israel as it assesses the feasibility of its war operations and tactics.

Nida Ibrahim, an expert who reported on the issue, expects that Israel will retaliate for this attack: “Just like what we saw when Yemen previously joined the Gaza war to support the Palestinians.”

Red Star News reporter Zhou Yuxiao, compiling from CCTV News and others

Editor Deng Peiguang

Reviewer He Xianju