Iran's so-called “Axis of Resistance” has suffered major setbacks across the Middle East, but Tehran appears to be adapting rather than abandoning its regional strategy.

The fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria disrupted an important part of Iran's regional network, while Hezbollah in Lebanon has also been significantly weakened. Iran's land corridor through Syria has faced major disruption.

However, Iraqi Shiite militias and Yemen's Houthis are emerging as important pillars of Iran's reconfigured regional network.

The report examines how Iran may be moving toward a more decentralized and coordinated model, with allied groups strengthening military and political ties while maintaining their own interests.

The geography is also significant. The Strait of Hormuz remains a crucial global energy chokepoint, while the Bab al-Mandab Strait and Red Sea provide another potential pressure point through Houthi activity.

Iraq has also emerged as a key location for attacks targeting U.S. positions and interests across the region, while the Houthis have demonstrated the ability to threaten Israeli, Saudi and other regional interests.

Iran's Axis of Resistance Evolves | Iraq Militias & Yemen Houthis Become Key Pillars

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a third missile attack targeting Israel, raising alarms across the Middle East. The group has also issued warnings to Gulf nations, signaling a potential widening of the conflict.

The escalation comes amid already heightened tensions in the region, with fears that more countries could be drawn into the crisis. Defense systems have reportedly been activated as nations prepare for further threats.


Houthis Claim Third Missile Attack On Israel: Gulf Nations Warned

Two months of constant attacks by the Houthis have a taken a toll on the global supply chain. A global logistics firm states that over 500 ships have now skipped their usual Red Sea route. This has not only added to transport costs but also delayed crucial shipments around the world.

Red Sea attacks threaten global supply chain

In recent months, attacks by Houthi militants in Yemen have caused disruptions to shipping in the Red Sea, leading to concerns about the impact on global supply chains and a potential shortage of tankers for fuel transportation.

Red Sea tensions is scrambling global shipping

<p>The Red Sea has been the centre of military escalation in the last few weeks with fears of the Israel-Hamas war spreading to neighbouring nations. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have targetted commercial vessels in the Red Sea using missiles, drones and helicopters.&nbsp;They claim that the ships they are targeting are linked to Israel, but the major impact of this ongoing crisis has been on global trade as vessels are now avoiding this crucial route.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Red Sea, a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lies between Africa and Asia and is a route that is fundamental for global supply chains. But recent escalations have raised fears that costs for certain goods could skyrocket.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Red Sea shipping route</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>The Red Sea connects the east coast of the United States with the far eastern region, and also the North Europe and Eastern Mediterranean, making it&nbsp;extremely important for shipping.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The six countries bordering the Red Sea proper are, Saudi Arabia and Yemen on the eastern shore, and Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti on the western shore.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is connected to the Indian Ocean in the south through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden. On the other hand, the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez, which leads to the Suez Canal, are in the north.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="red sea route" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74aacf41-697d-4945-99f5-ae3ccb6eb3dc" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/red%20sea%20route.png" /></p>

<p><strong><em>Image provided by&nbsp;S&amp;P Global Commodity Insights.&nbsp;</em></strong></p>

<p>The route through the Red Sea shortens the travel time also. In the case of the Eastern Mediterranean, the time is shortened by about three weeks around one week to the US East Coast, and 10 to 14 days to northern Europe.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/houthis-go-ballistic-in-red-sea-after-netanyahus-rejection-of-palestinian-state-681403">Houthis go 'ballistic' in Red Sea after Netanyahu rejects Palestinian state</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<h2><strong>What are the alternate routes?</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>As an alternative, the shipping companies can opt for the far longer &nbsp;Cape of Good Hope route along South Africa to reach the west. However, this would delay the journey by around two weeks and also incur extra costs - around $1.25 million per sailing depending on where it is going.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Italian&nbsp;and French ports&nbsp;are worried about being bypassed, because ships steer away from the main Mediterranean route.&nbsp;"We are not observing a significant impact as of today but it's a concern," Christophe Castaner, chairman of Marseille port, told a press conference.&nbsp;</p>

<p>S&amp;P Global Commodity Insights data revealed that around 12 per cent of global trade passes through the Suez Canal - Bab al-Mandab, representing 30 per cent of all global container traffic. About 95 per cent of vessels have rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, adding 4,000 to 6,000 nautical miles, and 14 to 20 days to journeys.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/red-sea-ship-attacks-inside-disrupted-shipping-route-over-west-asias-gate-of-tears-673216">Red Sea ship attacks: Inside disrupted shipping route through West Asia's 'gate of tears'</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<h2><strong>Impact on India's exports to Europe</strong></h2>

<p>India's Commerce and Industry Ministry said recently that the Red Sea shipping crisis could impact India's exports to Europe the most as about 80 per cent of the outbound shipments to Europe take place through the Red Sea region.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As quoted in media reports, a senior official said that the Indian government is considering other trade routes and has requested the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) not to raise insurance premiums due to growing shipping costs to Europe and rising Red Sea tensions.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Impact on India's oil trade</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>The S&amp;P Global Commodity Insights data revealed that Russia still maintains its position as India's top supplier, accounting for over 35 per cent of India's total crude imports, despite Indian refinery appetite for Russian crude dipping in recent months compared with the first half of 2023. The recent slowdown can be attributed to a rise in Middle Eastern flows, weather-related issues at Russian ports, heightened refinery maintenance, and increased scrutiny on ships carrying Russian oil in the wake of sanctions after it invaded Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The data revealed, "Despite the current dip, it is anticipated that inflows will likely bounce back in the coming months. This resurgence is expected, as crude runs are projected to increase post-maintenance, especially with refining remaining robust and a need to meet seasonal demand growth."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;India's daring rescue of ship caught in Red Sea crossfire&nbsp;</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-indias-daring-rescue-of-ship-caught-in-red-sea-crossfire-681340/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The S&amp;P Global Commodity Insights data noted that, despite the Red Sea crisis, India's crude imports from Russia remain unaffected so far. According to CAS, as of December 27, the Red Sea route remains the preferred option for traders supplying Russian crude to Indian refiners. Notably, Russia, including the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, presently holds a substantial volume of oil at sea.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Russia has approximately 112 million barrels of oil on water, with a minimum of 43.7 million barrels destined for India, the latest data from CAS revealed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, 19.2 million barrels are positioned in proximity to the Indian subcontinent, covering the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean East, and Southeast Asia, the S&amp;P Global Commodity Insights said, further adding that in the case of any disruptions, refiners or traders have the option to utilise these volumes to sustain refinery operations.&nbsp;</p>


The Red Sea has been the centre of military escalation in the last few weeks with fears of the Israel-Hamas war spreading to neighbouring nations. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have targetted commercial vessels in the Red Sea using missiles, drones and helicopters.

The Red Sea has been the centre of military escalation in the last few weeks with fears of the Israel-Hamas war spreading to neighbouring nations. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have targetted commercial vessels in the Red Sea using missiles, drones and helicopters. They claim that the ships they are targeting are linked to Israel, but the major impact of this ongoing crisis has been on global trade as vessels are now avoiding this crucial route. The Red Sea, a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lies between Africa and Asia and is a route that is fundamental for global supply chains. But recent escalations have raised fears that costs for certain goods could skyrocket. Red Sea shipping route The Red Sea connects the east coast of the United States with the far eastern region, and also the North Europe and Eastern Mediterranean, making it extremely important for shipping. The six countries bordering the Red Sea proper are, Saudi Arabia and Yemen on the eastern shore, and Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti on the western shore. It is connected to the Indian Ocean in the south through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden. On the other hand, the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez, which leads to the Suez Canal, are in the north. Image provided by S&P Global Commodity Insights. The route through the Red Sea shortens the travel time also. In the case of the Eastern Mediterranean, the time is shortened by about three weeks around one week to the US East Coast, and 10 to 14 days to northern Europe. Also read: Houthis go 'ballistic' in Red Sea after Netanyahu rejects Palestinian state What are the alternate routes? As an alternative, the shipping companies can opt for the far longer Cape of Good Hope route along South Africa to reach the west. However, this would delay the journey by around two weeks and also incur extra costs - around $1.25 million per sailing depending on where it is going. Italian and French ports are worried about being bypassed, because ships steer away from the main Mediterranean route. "We are not observing a significant impact as of today but it's a concern," Christophe Castaner, chairman of Marseille port, told a press conference. S&P Global Commodity Insights data revealed that around 12 per cent of global trade passes through the Suez Canal - Bab al-Mandab, representing 30 per cent of all global container traffic. About 95 per cent of vessels have rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, adding 4,000 to 6,000 nautical miles, and 14 to 20 days to journeys. Also read: Red Sea ship attacks: Inside disrupted shipping route through West Asia's 'gate of tears' Impact on India's exports to Europe India's Commerce and Industry Ministry said recently that the Red Sea shipping crisis could impact India's exports to Europe the most as about 80 per cent of the outbound shipments to Europe take place through the Red Sea region. As quoted in media reports, a senior official said that the Indian government is considering other trade routes and has requested the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) not to raise insurance premiums due to growing shipping costs to Europe and rising Red Sea tensions. Impact on India's oil trade The S&P Global Commodity Insights data revealed that Russia still maintains its position as India's top supplier, accounting for over 35 per cent of India's total crude imports, despite Indian refinery appetite for Russian crude dipping in recent months compared with the first half of 2023. The recent slowdown can be attributed to a rise in Middle Eastern flows, weather-related issues at Russian ports, heightened refinery maintenance, and increased scrutiny on ships carrying Russian oil in the wake of sanctions after it invaded Ukraine. The data revealed, "Despite the current dip, it is anticipated that inflows will likely bounce back in the coming months. This resurgence is expected, as crude runs are projected to increase post-maintenance, especially with refining remaining robust and a need to meet seasonal demand growth." Watch: India's daring rescue of ship caught in Red Sea crossfire × The S&P Global Commodity Insights data noted that, despite the Red Sea crisis, India's crude imports from Russia remain unaffected so far. According to CAS, as of December 27, the Red Sea route remains the preferred option for traders supplying Russian crude to Indian refiners. Notably, Russia, including the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, presently holds a substantial volume of oil at sea. Russia has approximately 112 million barrels of oil on water, with a minimum of 43.7 million barrels destined for India, the latest data from CAS revealed. Notably, 19.2 million barrels are positioned in proximity to the Indian subcontinent, covering the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean East, and Southeast Asia, the S&P Global Commodity Insights said, further adding that in the case of any disruptions, refiners or traders have the option to utilise these volumes to sustain refinery operations.

Rising Red Sea tensions and its potential impact on India's export and oil trade

red-sea-tensions

Red Sea Tensions, News on Red Sea Tensions, stories on Red Sea Tensions, articles on Red Sea Tensions, Red Sea Tensions stories at Wion, Red Sea Tensions news, Red Sea Tensions latest news

red sea-tensions

Iran's Axis of Resistance Evolves | Iraq Militias & Yemen Houthis Become Key Pillars

Houthis Claim Third Missile Attack On Israel: Gulf Nations Warned

Red Sea attacks threaten global supply chain

Red Sea tensions is scrambling global shipping

Rising Red Sea tensions and its potential impact on India's export and oil trade