Iran’s Deputy Chairman of the National Security Commission, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, has warned that the Bab al-Mandeb Strait could face closure, emphasizing that Iran’s position remains strong. In a televised interview, he said the strait’s importance is no less than that of the Strait of Hormuz and suggested that Yemeni forces are prepared to blockade it to strike another blow against the United States. His remarks came as both Iran and the U.S. claim control over the Hormuz Strait.

Boroujerdi added that his participation in recent discussions was under the directive of Iran’s Supreme Leader. Last week, commission member Ali Khazarian stated that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei opposed expanding talks with the United States. Earlier, the IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency cited a military source saying Iran possesses both the will and capability to pose credible threats regarding Bab al-Mandeb.

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, located between Yemen and the African coasts of Djibouti and Eritrea, is a vital maritime route connecting the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal, serving as a key link in global trade between Europe and Asia.