IRGC Warns Bab al-Mandeb Could Become New Flashpoint if Israel Expands Military Operations

KUALA LUMPUR:  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that the strategically vital Bab al-Mandeb Strait could face disruptions similar to those seen in the Strait of Hormuz if Israel continues its military operations in Lebanon and Gaza with backing from the United States.

The warning was issued by Brigadier General Esmail Qa’ani, commander of the IRGC’s Quds Force, who accused Israel of committing ongoing “Zionist crimes” in both territories and said continued military action could trigger a broader regional response.

According to Qa’ani, support provided by Washington to Israel’s military campaign could compel the so-called “Axis of Resistance” to expand its involvement across multiple conflict zones.

“The continuation of these actions will push resistance forces to widen their support in both battlefields,” he said in a statement released on Tuesday.

Qa’ani added that one possible response would involve activating additional fronts across the region and creating conditions in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait comparable to those experienced in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy shipping route.

He also warned that Israel could face a renewed wave of resistance from Palestinian armed groups and Hezbollah if military operations continue.

Meanwhile, Iranian state-affiliated media outlet Press TV reported that Tehran has maintained that any final agreement with the United States must include a comprehensive halt to military operations across regional conflict zones.

According to the report, ending Israeli military actions in Lebanon remains one of Iran’s principal demands in discussions related to wider regional tensions.

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, handling roughly 10 per cent of global trade and a significant portion of international energy shipments.

The waterway has increasingly become a focal point of regional security concerns, particularly following attacks by Yemen’s Ansarullah movement on vessels linked to Israel and U.S. military assets in support of Palestinians and Iran.

Analysts warn that any escalation affecting the Bab al-Mandeb Strait could have significant consequences for global shipping, energy markets, and regional stability.