Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, has said that while the Strait of Hormuz remains one of Iran’s most important strategic assets, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the entrance to the Red Sea could also serve as an alternative instrument of strategic leverage for Tehran. He warned that any further escalation of tensions in the Middle East could disrupt shipping through one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.
According to Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera, Medvedev made the remarks while in Tehran to attend the funeral ceremonies of Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Medvedev said the Strait of Hormuz is such a vital strategic asset for Iran that its significance could be compared to that of a nuclear deterrent. He added that the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—located between Yemen, Djibouti, and Eritrea—could also become an alternative means for Tehran to exert strategic pressure if regional tensions continue to escalate.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Gulf of Aden with the Red Sea and, through the Suez Canal, serves as one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes. Every day, large volumes of oil, liquefied natural gas, and commercial cargo pass through the waterway. Analysts warn that any disruption to navigation there could have serious consequences for global trade and energy supply chains.
Medvedev said he hoped the situation would not deteriorate to that point but cautioned that those seeking to intensify conflict in the Middle East should be mindful of the region’s strategic realities.
His comments come after Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement previously threatened to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. On June 8, the group also announced what it described as a ban on the passage of Israeli-linked vessels through the Red Sea, raising fresh concerns over the security of international shipping in the region.
Source: Al Jazeera