Iran threatens regional attacks and Bab al‑Mandeb closure if US strikes its infrastructure

Iran has warned that any U.S. strike on its infrastructure would trigger a retaliatory response that could “result in destruction across the region.” In a statement released to state media, Tehran’s leadership underscored the potential for widespread damage should American forces target Iranian facilities.

According to multiple reports, the Iranian government has also instructed the Houthi movement in Yemen to prepare for the closure of the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The Houthi directive would effectively block a second major shipping route after the Strait of Hormuz, heightening tensions for global trade and raising concerns about a broader regional escalation.

The combined threat signals a significant shift in Iran’s strategic posture, indicating a willingness to involve proxy forces in a broader confrontation with the United States. The international community watches closely as the potential disruption of two key maritime corridors could have far‑reaching economic and security implications.