# EXCLUSIVE: Iran tells Houthis to close Red Sea gateway if US hits power network, sources say

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-07-16 15:07 UTC · Category: World

## Executive Summary
Iran has reportedly instructed Houthi forces to block the Red Sea gateway in response to potential U.S. strikes on Iranian power infrastructure.

## Intelligence Brief
According to an exclusive report from Reuters, Iran has communicated to the Houthis that they should close the Red Sea gateway if the United States targets Iran's power network. This development occurs as the United States intensifies its attacks on Iran, while Tehran simultaneously hits back at Gulf states, as reported by The Guardian. The directives from Iran suggest a strategic shift toward utilizing regional allies to disrupt global maritime corridors in retaliation for specific types of infrastructure damage. Coverage from Fox News and The Hill emphasizes that Iran has specifically asked the Houthis to prepare for the possibility of cutting off or blocking the Red Sea gateway. Forbes further specifies that Iranian allies could potentially target the Bab al-Mandeb strait if the U.S. decides to strike Iranian energy sites or power infrastructure.


These reports collectively highlight a coordinated threat to disrupt critical shipping lanes as a direct countermeasure to American military action against domestic Iranian utility systems. Contextual reports from CNBC indicate that Iran has warned the U.S. about a "red line" regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has stated it will retaliate if President Trump carries out his threats. This situation exists within a broader framework of escalating hostilities where the U.S. is increasing pressure on Iran and Tehran is responding by targeting Gulf states. The tension centers on the vulnerability of energy infrastructure and the strategic importance of the maritime chokepoints in the Red Sea and the Gulf.


Future developments depend on whether the U.S. proceeds with strikes against Iranian power infrastructure or energy sites. Based on the reported warnings, observers are watching for Houthi activity near the Bab al-Mandeb strait and the Red Sea gateway. Additionally, the status of the "red line" at the Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of Iranian threats of retaliation should the U.S. administration act on its stated intentions.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| The Guardian | US intensifies attacks on Iran as Tehran hits back at Gulf states | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisAFBVV95cUxOQnE5emhOTUNjSG1mN1d5dHdVZXpfYmVBU1FqTGI5clZ2X1J1VWVfMFZBZ1B5YW9RaE9IWXp1T29xcHVJTkhYc2VGeWRVd3l2ejQ0dVpWLVhhcGNkU2FfUjRvNkF1Q0xUbVQzZ1paWktiQUY2ZXNOUG9jNzBpQ2ZQcmdlR2V4N3VTcDlxRENCcG1iQXVyQjhXYzV1LXEyX3JrV3FQZHRPcjVxZU1kRGgzcg?oc=5) |
| Fox News | Iran calls on Houthis to prepare to cut off Red Sea gateway — can the terror group do it? | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipgFBVV95cUxPLTJuNGxpLXA2aUlIVjUtUU1YWW54UHBfbVo1ZENFRkdXWTBDV19QNHBqM1FlOXJUZndLd1d2bDRkVWJ5WmdvNEdYWEFVeHpOdkhYS19qeVVkZjc0NmpaYUFJZjJNQ3I5YlFXQlNaVmxoemxNdGFaNG1oQXQ0WWlwVG50Q0I1T0ltdkctMGRPUnFPVHNQVjBtb3FzaHk5OFA1OGd1S2pB0gGrAUFVX3lxTE00U2stelBNc0RsV0tqWllLelBGR2p0TlYyaW9tT0dvLVRnV05pdm1nVTh0S3hNMUJ1SURzcjUyd1RtcjMtSmV3NE85N1d4YmpsQkhWLS1abFEtR0NTTE5YdHJPLTBfMUZzRW9iUkJsdU0yaHJUSUgwT1JOODlWSXNSakg3ZWhlZ1RvckxISHJ3cmNSTkFndV9GVnJuRHJWNlZTWTl0bzhWQUV1MA?) |
| The Hill | Iran asks Houthis to block Red Sea if US hits energy sites: Reports | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipgFBVV95cUxOS1hwVGU5ZkYtU1M0dG5sUVROZEJsNGk5Z012Nm1HZklIdENiWmEwRU51TGNrV3V3d2ItbTl0ZTVncWQwdlI3SUQ4cDlVRTVreDVTNEItQ2JMOWpEX2VnR2VITWF1S1FLQnJleXY4SUdiOXc4VUotQlVWQ2dBbURpbXNkTHZfSy1jOEZCV2N6OTUwVzdGMXFaU0h0c01uUmlTaGluaDN30gGrAUFVX3lxTE9KT1JpMkx3SzVYc3plaERRZlgtYzd2WFV0SnFuWkJqZUdlSlhMbndtZ0dPcVNHLWlITTFBaW0zbmUxR1RVT1o5UnNqb1lqWVFlUE9WdXp0M1RtS0lHVzVOM1hJd2x0WVBETnlleGM0bHBCaFlXSTU4ZU95bS0yaExYS1dWNDV3UkRvaFZYOWVnYTlXSktXQjFZSUJfUW5vamRFVnhkLWhXam9GUQ?) |
| CNBC | Iran warns U.S. of Hormuz ‘red line,’ says it will retaliate if Trump carries out threats | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipgFBVV95cUxPVF9GR0xENjZiT1Q5LVZld1MteHZKSElsblY1X3VfRUFnVGJodEUzc05uSENkZnFrZm5vMkJlTzZhcHkwYU1oUHhpNFZYd09vZHdZQmNsY1JkV1ZGdnd6T0JvMFdibWpPcmFpTUkzRzQ2SWdHbEpKdExTckw1ck1ETWZFOWQ4blpmTTUzVFpXZl9ENnludHFwOUFmWERac1ZTeEl3ZC130gGrAUFVX3lxTE4xdFdiWkl2NG1qc0syaS1ybE1KYTJxT09ITFFROTVheHkzM3diY0RZQVJqRW8zc3hGeXdRWHg2ejg1MnkwXzlQZGVWV1plWTN5UEltVDB6WFJLbU1iWTFSd1VfVHZJWjNUYXRJVlJqY0w0YURCRU1qUlhRUHl4aU5iSmMyR19tNE02d29INTZzam1MTUwzRXFFeEVxWDVTYnJSWkVkdkJTUHFOOA?) |
| Forbes | Iran’s Allies Could Target Bab al-Mandeb If U.S. Strikes Iranian Power Infrastructure, Report Says | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi5AFBVV95cUxNUW9BRl81Q05MUWRtWElNV1V4djBEbzRPNEtvNjNaRDJFV2lFY1ZVSEFuaEhEQkNxdm41YWxEczdlcHJ3M2hrWmRNYkNGb0hUNlN2N1p2cF9NbEtZemVEcUdETWVrVGJwUXNDOVZkLWNOSHItQ21keklBX0h3enQ4NExBMndVVUI5OUY0OGV4ZksxRDN5V1N1anRuRHFmRVpxcGV2cFRONUd4RE0wb09WUWQzNGU1TWkzZmVLS2QxaDE0S2Vna3V0Tm96VWYtSDd6bkpXU05JNUdYNUlwYlN6cGhMdUg?oc=5) |
| Reuters | EXCLUSIVE: Iran tells Houthis to close Red Sea gateway if US hits power network, sources say | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiywFBVV95cUxQNnlkS245LVFESkFHd2V1MjVwTjdoSm9ZZmRWTlRUZ0dBdkN1VlRPUHU0ZXZLbjNVWGVIdGxldS1uVi1TOFctd2VXQy1jeXRmLWhyOVczWmpaRVY1Ml9sVWQ2N3ktdE5iRUNOcTdaWnZmNzdzT1M4NG1jMkNIeFVaa05YSHhRdHZYQ3BDS3lnb2pkYmFpYS1NR2E5WHBuOEFsTWljaDNsWGVqZ1VKSFlaNmd2UkU4aE1Xa29XeDNVcFdZZnh4bjFSQ1NuUQ?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-07-16/exclusive-iran-tells-houthis-to-close-red-sea-gateway-if-us-hits-power-network*