Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration From 2013 to 2014, the amount of oil and petroleum products passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait grew by 20% to 4.7 million barrels per day, due in part to increased oil exports [an additional 200,000 bo/d] from Iraq to Europe and "record-level[s]" of petroleum exports [oil, petroleum products, especially distillate fuel oil] from Russia to Asian markets, according to the U.S. EIA. The United States Energy Information Administration also noted that while the Bad el-Mandeb Strait is 18 miles wide at its narrowest point, tankers that seek to travel through it must use 2-mile wide shipping channels between Yemen and the Horn of Africa. Yemen is currently undergoing an enormous amount of violent turmoil that has turned into a proxy duel between Sunni-led Saudi Arabia and Shiite-led Iran, with many other regional and international power players getting involved. For instance, the United States of America moved several of its warships off the coast of Yemen in an apparent move to block any Iranian arms shipments from reaching the Shiite Houthi rebels who have taken over parts of the country. So far, it seems that the United States' efforts have worked as Iranian ships heading towards Yemen have since turned around and are heading back towards Iran, according to a U.S. defense official.