Is the Red Sea the world's next major trade chokepoint?

About this episode

The episode discusses the potential for the Red Sea to become a major trade chokepoint amid military threats and geopolitical tensions involving the US, Iran, and China.

The Iranian military has threatened shipping in the Gulf, Red Sea, and the Gulf of Oman if the US naval blockade continues. The threats made by general Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi were apparently aired on Iranian state television. Meanwhile, talks could resume as early as this week with NBC news reporting Trump has said the war was “very close to over” while Tehran has said messages were still being exchanged via Pakistan.  Trump has also claimed that China is “very happy” about the situation – that was after Beijing labelled the US blockade “dangerous.”  He also said that President Xi Jinping had agreed not to send weapons to Iran. Today on The Front Page, University of Otago international relations professor Robert Patman is with us. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Host: Chelsea Daniels

Guest: Robert Patman

Topics covered

• trade chokepoint
• military threats
• international relations
• shipping
• US naval blockade
• Iran
• China

Keywords

• Red Sea
• trade chokepoint
• Iran
• US naval blockade
• shipping threats
• international relations
• China
• military

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Iranian military, NBC, US, China, New Zealand Herald

Places: Iran, Pakistan, Red Sea, Gulf, Gulf of Oman

More episodes of The Front Page

• The RSV delay exposing NZ’s child health gap · June 12, 2026 · 30 min
• Do the All Whites stand a chance at the World Cup? · June 11, 2026 · 23 min
• What does the fare cap policy tell us about Labour's campaign strategy? · June 10, 2026 · 25 min
• Why the Government dropped its power bill levy · June 9, 2026 · 20 min
• Why Auckland’s economic recovery seems continually out of reach · June 8, 2026 · 25 min
• Why Taiwan is testing New Zealand’s relationship with China · June 5, 2026 · 19 min