In a post on his X account on April 4, Qalibaf pointed to the volume of critical global trade flowing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, raising questions about the share of key commodities and the role of major countries and companies.
“What share of global oil, LNG, wheat, rice, and fertilizer shipments transits the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait?” he asked.
“Which countries and companies account for the highest transit volumes through the strait?” Qalibaf wrote.
His remarks come amid the ongoing US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran and growing concerns over the security of vital maritime chokepoints.
The US and the Israeli regime launched a large-scale unprovoked military campaign against Iran following the assassination of then Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, along with several senior military commanders and civilians on February 28.
The attacks have involved extensive aerial strikes on both military and civilian locations across Iran, causing significant casualties and widespread damage to infrastructure.
In response, the Iranian Armed Forces have carried out retaliatory operations, targeting American and Israeli positions in the occupied territories and at regional bases with waves of missiles and drones.