Iran Threatens to Close Bab al-Mandab Strait if US Tightens Sea Blockade

Bab al-Mandab Strait/Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center

JAKARTA - Iran is reportedly going to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait, an important trade route connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, if the United States continues to increase its naval blockade.

According to the Fars news agency, Tehran has prepared a list of targets if the US and Israel attack Iran again.

Iran will act according to the enemy's moves, either by retaliating or launching a preventive attack.

Fars reported that Iran would attack power plants and oil and gas facilities in Israel and US allies in the Middle East if similar facilities in Iran were attacked.

Then, if an attack from outside results in victims among the civilian and military communities, Tehran plans to destroy the IT centers in the Middle East.

As for the scenario of a US ground attack on Iran, Tehran plans a retaliatory attack in the form of a joint military operation with its allies in the region, then the people in countries that have US military bases, and capture US military personnel.

On February 28, the US and Israel launched attacks on several points in Iran, resulting in casualties and damage to infrastructure. On April 7, Washington DC and Tehran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

Iran and the US then negotiated in Islamabad, but to no avail. Although the two parties did not declare the resumption of hostilities, the US began to blockade the ports in Iran.

On Tuesday (21/4), US President Donald Trump said he would extend the ceasefire with Iran while still blocking it. The next day, Trump said it was possible that peace could be reached with Iran in the next 36 to 72 hours.