Iran has asked Yemen¡¯s Houthi movement to stand ready to close the Red Sea oil route if the United States strikes Iranian power infrastructure, three sources said on Thursday, posing a potent new threat to global energy supplies.

The idea has been discussed within the Islamic Republic¡¯s leadership, and the message has been conveyed to Iran¡¯s Houthi allies, two senior Iranian sources and a regional source familiar with the matter said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The sources said the Houthis had been informed ?recently of Tehran¡¯s request, which has not been previously reported.