The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), a maritime security group led by the U.S. Navy, has reported that Iran's Houthi allies in Yemen have completed preparations to attack ships in the southern Red Sea. The center, based in Bahrain, issued a notice to mariners stating that missiles and drones have been deployed near Bab el-Mandeb, a strategic maritime chokepoint.
The European Union's naval mission in the region has advised that merchant vessels associated with Israeli, U.S., or Saudi interests should avoid the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden until the threat level decreases. The Houthis have threatened to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is vital for global shipping.
On Monday, the Houthis declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, prohibiting all vessels loading or discharging cargo at Saudi ports. In response, Riyadh has redirected oil exports through a pipeline to the Yanbu terminal on the Red Sea, with exports from this terminal increasing significantly compared to the previous year.
Despite the threats, commercial traffic has continued through the southern Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb without any attacks reported in the past two days. The JMIC stated that the threat to ships remains moderate, and no changes to commercial routing have occurred. However, ship tracking firm Kpler noted a 34% decline in traffic through Bab el-Mandeb on Tuesday, following the embargo declaration.
Additionally, Iran has intensified its attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, with three tankers targeted off the coasts of Oman and the United Arab Emirates this week. The International Maritime Organization reported that a dozen ships have been attacked in and around Hormuz since July 6, resulting in fatalities and injuries among seafarers.