Quote · The MeidasTouch Podcast
Iran's Red Sea Threat Raises Stakes for Trump
Where this was said
Iran Threatens to Close the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab
At 3:10 · chapter starts 1:00
Ben Meiselas sets the scene with a stark opening: Donald Trump is panicking. After Trump gave a Fox News interview threatening to blow up Iranian bridges, energy infrastructure, and roads, Iran responded by shifting its focus to the Red Sea — specifically the Bab al-Mandab Strait [1] — Ben Meiselas "Iran's IRGC is signaling it will shut down the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea, mirroring what it has already done in the Strait of Hor…" 01:04 . The IRGC put out statements warning that all shipping traffic in the region, not just the Strait of Hormuz, would be shut down to make the United States 'feel real pain.' The IRGC's alliance with the Houthis in Yemen becomes critically relevant here: the Houthis previously demonstrated the ability to halt Red Sea shipping and are described as simply waiting for Iran's activation order. The strategic picture is clear — Iran is threatening to extend its chokepoint strategy from one critical waterway to two.
Iran's IRGC is signaling it will shut down the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea, mirroring what it has already done in the Strait of Hormuz. Allied with the Houthis in Yemen, who have previously demonstrated the ability to halt Red Sea traffic, Iran is escalating pressure on all US-allied energy routes.
Trump held an emergency Situation Room meeting to discuss a massive offensive wider in scope than current strikes, which was leaked to Axios reporter Barak Ravid.
Trump held an emergency Situation Room meeting to plan a massive Iranian offensive wider in scope than current strikes, and then immediately leaked it to Axios. The plan reportedly includes 'devastating strikes on strategic targets' — raising questions about whether this is a genuine military escalation or a negotiating pressure tactic.
