Netanyahu praised Iran, saying that blocking the Strait would benefit Israel—only to soon receive devastating news!
According to *The Times of Israel*, in a recent cabinet meeting, Netanyahu stated that Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz actually presented Israel with a "historic opportunity." He proposed that oil and natural gas from Gulf states could bypass the Persian Gulf entirely, instead being transported via the east-west pipeline across Saudi Arabia to Yanbu Port on the Red Sea coast, then shipped through the Suez Canal or the Red Sea–Mediterranean pipeline to Israeli Mediterranean ports, thus circumventing the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian control.
Saudi Arabia and other countries have already begun using Yanbu Port as an alternative export route. Daily oil throughput once exceeded 4 million barrels, making it a critical “buffer solution” in today’s global energy market.
However, shortly after Netanyahu floated this “strategic shift,” Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced on March 28 that they had launched ballistic missiles toward Israel, explicitly stating they would block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Red Sea shipping lanes. The Houthis declared that if the Red Sea were used for military operations against Iran—or if their allies were attacked—they would respond with “full-scale military intervention.”
The Houthis control the Yemeni side of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the only exit from the Red Sea into the Gulf of Aden. Around 6 to 7 million barrels of oil pass through daily. If this strait is blocked, the alternative export route via Yanbu Port will become completely ineffective, triggering a “double chokepoint crisis” in the global energy supply chain.
Knife Brother believes Netanyahu’s remarks reveal Israel’s strategic ambition to play a “hub role” in the Middle East’s energy landscape. By shifting energy transport routes westward, Israel aims not only to weaken Iran’s geopolitical influence but also to enhance the strategic value of its own ports and infrastructure.
Yet this plan overlooks the interconnectedness of regional armed groups. As a key ally of Iran, the Houthi forces may lack the strength of conventional armies, but they possess asymmetric weapons such as anti-ship missiles, drones, and sea mines. Between 2023 and 2025, they successfully attacked over a hundred commercial vessels, forcing many shipping companies to reroute.
Moreover, economies like Japan, South Korea, and Europe—highly dependent on Middle Eastern energy—would face severe disruptions. Egypt’s Suez Canal revenues could be halved, further intensifying regional economic instability. Public criticism toward Israel would likely escalate, and ultimately, Israel itself might have to pay the price.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861141838758924/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.