From The Conversation · Kristian Coates Ulrichsen · · 1m 50s
Houthi advances threaten Saudi Arabia's oil lifelines
Yemen's rebels are seizing territory and attacking infrastructure, forcing the kingdom into an impossible strategic corner.
In brief
Yemen's rebels are seizing territory and attacking infrastructure, forcing the kingdom into an impossible strategic corner. Saudi Arabia faces attacks from both north and south that could shut down both its oil export routes simultaneously. Originally reported by The Conversation.
Houthis unravel Yemen truce
Yemen's Houthi rebels are targeting Saudi cities and infrastructure, ending a 2022 truce. They've seized territory near the Red Sea, threatening Saudi energy exports.
Crucial Iran talks cancelled
Saudi Arabia and Gulf nations were set to meet with Iran on Sept. 13 to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The talks were called off over Houthi and Iraqi attacks.
Iran wants U.S. Navy out
Iran demands passage through Hormuz be limited to civilian vessels only. This would bar U.S. naval ships, including the 5th Fleet based in Bahrain.
“Gulf officials, and their U.S. counterparts, would strenuously resist any Iranian attempt to convert their wartime leverage over the strait into a postwar deal”
Saudi oil exports in jeopardy
Attacks on energy infrastructure threaten Saudi Arabia's workaround to Hormuz. The kingdom maintained oil exports at about half prewar levels until now.
Ships take longer, costlier routes
Saudi vessels now avoid the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, taking the far longer route around Africa. This adds weeks and major costs to exports to Asian markets.
Double choke point nightmare
If both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb are shut, Saudi Arabia will have no safe way to export oil or import goods by ship.
Military option looks futile
Saudi Arabia has little appetite for new military action in Yemen. The Houthis outlasted a two-month U.S. bombing campaign and just made rapid territorial gains.
“The fact that the Houthis outlasted the two-month U.S. Operation Rough Rider between March and May 2025 indicates that bombing from the air will not force the Houthis into submission.”
Crown prince seeks coalition
Mohammed bin Salman is assembling a multilateral coalition for Red Sea security. Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt may contribute naval assets and soldiers.
U.S.-Saudi relations strained
Gulf states feel the U.S. started the war without a Plan B and has done little to protect them. Patience in Riyadh may be wearing thin.
“The perception that the U.S. began the war without a 'Plan B' has intersected with the feeling that the U.S. has done little to protect Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf States.”
The big picture
Saudi Arabia faces attacks from both north and south that could shut down both its oil export routes simultaneously.
