I just noticed a rather tense issue regarding the global energy market. According to media reports, Saudi Arabia is heavily pressuring the U.S. to lift the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and resume negotiations. The main reason is the fear that Iran will retaliate by using the Houthi group to block the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb instead.

The situation is quite complex. Saudi Arabia has shifted most of its oil exports to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea coast. Currently, about 7 million barrels per day are shipped there. But if the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is blocked, these supply sources would be at risk.

Notably, Iranian representatives view the Bab el-Mandeb Strait as similar to the Strait of Hormuz and warn that the flow of energy and global trade could be cut off with just a single signal. The Houthi group, which controls the coast near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, is considered a ready tool of Iran, and they have already demonstrated their capability.

According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, (EIA is the official agency managing energy data.) Before the Gaza war, there was about 9.3 million barrels of crude oil passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait daily. But after the Houthi involvement, this number has halved.

Arab officials warn that if Iran increases pressure, the Houthis could become more aggressive, even starting to charge tolls to passing ships. This situation truly impacts global energy market security, not just the Middle East.