[Today’s Prayer] Iran: “Bab el-Mandeb imminent”… warns of Red Sea escalation in response to U.S. counter-blockade

As U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a plan to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has suggested the possibility of blocking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, known as the “gateway to the Red Sea,” raising tensions in the Middle East once again.

Although it has not yet materialized, Iran’s remarks are being interpreted as an attempt to expand the front with the United States to the Red Sea region. With direct negotiations in Pakistan having broken down, this could act as additional pressure toward escalation.

According to Fox News and other sources on the 12th (local time), President Trump announced a plan to impose a maritime blockade targeting vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian ports after ceasefire talks with Iran held on the 11th–12th in Islamabad, Pakistan, collapsed.

U.S. military authorities, following President Trump’s orders, plan to block all vessel traffic traveling to and from Iranian ports via the Strait of Hormuz starting at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on the 13th (11 p.m. Korea time on the 13th).

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Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior foreign policy advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, also stated on X on the 6th, “The unified command of the resistance front views Bab el-Mandeb the same as Hormuz,” adding, “If the White House repeats a foolish mistake, it will soon realize that a single measure could disrupt global energy and trade flows.”

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The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a narrow waterway connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and it is linked to the Suez Canal, serving as a key shipping route between Asia and Europe. About 12% of the world’s oil shipments are known to pass through this strait.

In the Red Sea, especially after the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas in 2023, as well as in the past, Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have continuously posed drone and missile threats targeting commercial ships and U.S. assets. Because of this, the U.S. government warned in March of potential attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and advised its ships to stop using automatic identification systems (AIS).

Therefore, if disruption or blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait through the Houthis becomes a reality following the Strait of Hormuz, compounded concerns such as surging global oil prices, insurance costs, and shipping rates are expected to be unavoidable.

Last month on the 28th, the Houthi rebels launched two ballistic missiles toward southern Israel, joining Iran’s war against the United States and Israel.

So far, attacks have only been directed at Israel and not at the Red Sea or the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, but warnings of expanded attacks have heightened tensions.

According to Xinhua News Agency, on the 13th, the Houthi foreign ministry in Sanaa, Yemen, stated, “The firmness shown by the Iranian negotiating team at the negotiating table signifies a new victory for the Islamic Republic and the axis of jihad and resistance,” and warned that if the United States and Israel resume attacks on Iran and the “axis of resistance,” military operations will be expanded.

Source: Naver News

“All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.” (Psalm 22:27–28)

Heavenly Father, we hear the news that in response to the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran may expand the front even to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

As the war shows no sign of ending, and rumors of wars and conflicts surrounding these straits continue to spread, we believe that You are faithfully accomplishing Your work.

The nations belong to You, and You alone are the ruler of all nations. May all peoples quickly return and worship only Jesus.

Let the evil work of Satan, who deceives the nations into setting their minds on human affairs rather than the work of God, be swiftly cut off. Guide Iran and Israel into the best and most righteous path.

Let the global Church not cease in praying for them, and may those prayers flow like living water to these peoples, bringing the life of Jesus Christ to begin among them.

And so may Iran, Israel, and all nations involved in this conflict come to worship Yeshua, the King of kings, and prepare the way for the Lord’s coming.