An Israeli official told Channel 12 that Houthi (Ansarallah) control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait poses a greater threat to shipping than the current situation in Hormuz, largely because of the geography.

The eastern shipping channel past Perim (Mayyun) Island is only around three kilometers wide, putting passing vessels within direct visual range of Houthi positions.

“They will be able to fire at whatever they want with anti-tank missiles. They will be able to see the ships with their own eyes. That’s the difference,” the official said.

The official noted that Iran requires radar, surveillance, and anti-ship systems to threaten vessels in Hormuz, while at Bab el-Mandeb, a Houthi fighter on Perim (Mayyun) Island could target a tanker using a basic ATGM without sophisticated targeting equipment, giving the group “enormous power.”