Amidst the ongoing maritime blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to hostile vessels, a senior Iranian legislator has suggested that Tehran could further escalate pressure on its adversaries by targeting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, hinted at the potential for significant disruption on Friday.His remarks come as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to exert intense economic and logistical strain on international shipping.Raising the stakes regarding global supply chain vulnerabilities, Ghalibaf questioned the extent of the world’s reliance on the passage. He asked, “What share of global oil, LNG, wheat, rice, and fertiliser shipments transits the Bab el-Mandeb Strait?”The Speaker further suggested that specific nations and corporate entities might be particularly exposed to such a strategic move. “Which countries and companies account for the highest transit volumes through the strait?” the post continued, implying that the Islamic Republic is evaluating the most impactful ways to exert leverage.This strategic posturing on the maritime front coincides with a major escalation on the battlefield. Iranian and allied forces have launched “Wave 93” of a sustained retaliatory campaign, striking critical Israeli military staging grounds deep within the occupied territories, state broadcaster Press TV reported.The strikes are described as a direct response to recent hostilities, marking a significant escalation in the regional confrontation.According to a statement from the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), carried by Press TV, this latest phase of “Operation True Promise 4” was carried out on Friday afternoon. The mission targeted strategic locations in the north and the heart of the occupied territories.