How the ‘Gate of Tears’ could be the next critical global chokepoint as Houthis threaten to blockade vital shipping route

The Houthis have threatened to choke off a second major oil shipping route – as a new map reveals how vulnerable the 18-mile-wide Bab al-Mandeb Strait is to a blockade. 

In a significant escalation to the month-long war, Iran’s proxy group in Yemen yesterday issued a warning over the waterway which is known as the ‘Gate of Tears’ in Arabic. 

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is used as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively shut down. 

If both routes are compromised, the impact would extend far beyond the region, hitting supply chains, energy markets and shipping costs worldwide.

Ten per cent of global seaborne trade passes through the Red Sea, including a fifth of the world’s container traffic and car shipments and 10 per cent of crude oil.

The 1,400 mile-long body of water links the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. 

As seen in this graphic created by the Daily Mail, to enter or exit at the southern end ships must pass Bab al-Mandeb Strait. 

On one side of the 18-mile-wide waterway is Yemen and on the other is Djibouti and Eritrea. 

The name ‘Gate of Tears’ is a reference to how perilous navigating the chokepoint is. 

Ships must slow down when they enter the strait and are divided into two lanes on either side of Mayyun Island. 

Both options are situated well within the firing range of Houthi missiles and drones. 

Yesterday, the Houthi rebel group fired missiles at Israel and vowed to carry out more attacks. 

The Houthis have held Yemen’s capital Sanaa since 2014 and, so far, have stayed out of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

The group’s attacks on ships during the Israel-Hamas war caused chaos in the Red Sea, through which billions of pounds of goods pass each year.

Between 2023 and 2025, Houthi rebels attacked more than 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two ships and killing four sailors.

During this time, ships transiting through the Suez Canal fell from 26,000 to 12,700. 

Mohammed Mansour, the Houthis’ deputy information minister, said on Saturday: ‘We are conducting this battle in stages, and closing the Bab al-Mandeb Strait is among our options.’

Earlier today, Iran said it was ‘waiting’ for a US ground invasion after thousands of sailors and marines arrived in the Middle East on the warship USSS Tripoli.

Tehran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf claimed on Sunday, Donald Trump is preparing for an attack in secret, despite speaking of negotiations in public.

He said in comments reported by Iranian media that ‘the enemy signals negotiation in public, while in secret it plots a ground attack’. 

It comes after US officials revealed that the Pentagon may be gearing up for ground operations in Iran.

Defense chiefs are bracing for what insiders describe as a ‘major escalation,’ though any military action is expected to stop short of an all-out invasion, sources told The Washington Post.

Instead they will use Special Operations forces backed by infantry troops, the insiders said. 

It remains unclear if President Donald Trump has or will approve the Pentagon’s reported plans.

It comes as the USS Tripoli arrived in the region on Friday, bringing an additional 3,500 sailors and Marines.

On board was the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group and elements from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit who are based in Japan. They were conducting exercises in the area around Taiwan when they were ordered to the Middle East almost two weeks ago.

The unit’s main tasks typically include intercepting vessels and seizing territory, according to the Wall Street Journal.

US Central Command said that in addition to the Marines, the Tripoli also brings transport and strike fighter aircraft, as well as amphibious assault assets to the region.

The USS Boxer and two other ships, along with another Marine Expeditionary Unit, have also been ordered to the region from San Diego.

Meanwhile, top diplomats from key regional powers have gathered in Pakistan today to discuss how to end the fighting in the Middle East.

However, there were few signs of progress as Israel and the US kept up strikes on Iran, and Tehran responded by firing missiles and drones across the region.

Major infrastructure came under fire overnight – with Emirates Global Aluminium saying its major plant in Abu Dhabi has been significantly damaged. 

Pakistan said foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt were participating in the talks in Islamabad.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held ‘extensive discussions’ on regional hostilities.