Saudi Arabia Faces Biggest Oil Threat Since 1932 as Houthis Press Red Sea Blockade
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 17
Saudi Arabia Faces Biggest Oil Threat Since 1932 as Houthis Press Red Sea Blockade
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 17
Summary
Saudi oil output faces what one analyst called an existential threat as Iran-backed Houthis intensify cross-border attacks and seize ground near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Iran is likely using the Houthis to choke Saudi exports after Riyadh rerouted crude from the Strait of Hormuz to Red Sea port Yanbu, trying to enforce an "all export or none export" message.
Last week’s drone strike forced a temporary shutdown of the East-West pipeline, and Saudi forces on Tuesday intercepted another Houthi drone near Mecca.
Washington signaled it is unlikely to join a war over Bab el-Mandeb because the Houthis say they are targeting Saudi shipping, not U.S. or European vessels, while the U.S. focuses on freedom of navigation and backing regional allies.