Houthi blockade of Bab al‑Mandeb pushes oil price above $100 a barrel

Iran‑backed Houthi militants in Yemen sealed the Bab al‑Mandeb Strait for 13 days, attacking commercial vessels and sinking the Liberian‑flagged bulk carrier Eternity C. The disruption forced oil prices to climb above $100 per barrel for the first time since May and prompted the Saudi‑led coalition to warn of “reckless and cowardly” actions.

European Union naval operation ASPIDES advised ships to avoid the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, while U.S. and allied forces attempted limited escort missions that have had little effect on the frequency of attacks, which have averaged about ten per month. Rerouting around Africa adds roughly 11,000 nautical miles and $1 million in fuel costs per voyage, though insurers note the total extra expense may still be lower than the risk premiums for transiting the strait.

The same geoeconomic pressure tactics are being discussed in the context of the Strait of Hormuz, where a brief U.S.–Iran cease‑fire collapsed and the United States considered a “re‑closure” to leverage shipping fees. Analysts say the Houthi actions illustrate a broader shift toward using control of critical oil chokepoints as a strategic weapon, amplifying worldwide market impacts.