JUST IN: Iran Reportedly Asked Houthis to Prepare for Red Sea Closure if US Targets Power Infrastructure

According to a report by the Times of Israel on Thursday July 16, 2026, Iran has reportedly instructed Yemen’s Houthi movement to be ready to disrupt shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait if the United States launches strikes on Iranian power infrastructure, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The sources, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the proposal has been discussed within Iran’s leadership and that the message has already been passed to the Tehran-backed Houthi group.

Two senior Iranian sources and another regional source said the request was communicated recently, although they did not explain how it was delivered or exactly when. The reported contingency plan follows heightened tensions after US President Donald Trump warned that Washington could target Iran’s power infrastructure, though the sources were unable to confirm whether Iran’s communication to the Houthis came before or after those remarks.Get The Full Story Here.