Iran Asked Houthis to Ready Red Sea Closure Before Blockade Declaration

Yemen's Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia on July 20, targeting Saudi export ships through the Bab el-Mandeb strait. Four days earlier, Reuters reported Iran had asked the Houthis to stand ready to close the Red Sea oil route if the U.S. strikes Iranian power infrastructure. The timing suggests the blockade may serve as Iran's pre-positioned deterrence against U.S. escalation.