Saudi Arabia has increased diplomatic pressure on the Trump administration, calling for an end to the naval blockade of Iranian ports. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman fears that Tehran will respond by using Yemeni Houthi forces to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This would cut off the last safe route for Saudi oil in the Red Sea, triggering a global energy crisis. Despite having cooperated with Israel against Iran in the past, Riyadh has opted for a strategy of de-escalation, as Tehran’s asymmetric responses pose a greater threat to the kingdom’s economic stability than direct military confrontation.
Riyadh has increased diplomatic pressure on Washington, demanding a reduction in military activity against Iran. The kingdom fears that Tehran may respond by striking key maritime routes, which would deal a serious blow to the global energy sector. This information comes from The Telegraph.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, is putting pressure on Trump over Iran, calling on the US President to review his hardline policy towards Iran and return to negotiations. According to diplomats from Gulf states, Riyadh is insisting on the lifting of the naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf. This is due to fears that Iran may resort to an asymmetric response. In particular, there are concerns about the closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key chokepoint in the Red Sea through which much of the world’s oil exports pass.
Previously, Saudi Arabia had taken a tougher stance towards Tehran. Following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Riyadh even considered increasing pressure on Iran in conjunction with Israel. According to sources, the Crown Prince coordinated actions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
However, the situation changed after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia was able to offset some of its losses by redirecting oil exports via the Red Sea. Nevertheless, the threat of possible attacks by Yemeni Houthis could nullify this advantage.
The Iran-backed Houthis already have experience of attacking commercial shipping. Between 2023 and 2024, they carried out dozens of attacks in the Red Sea, resulting in a significant decrease in maritime traffic. Despite strikes by the US and its allies, analysts believe the group still has the capacity to carry out further attacks.
“The conditions for resuming attacks on shipping are now more favourable than at any time since 2023.” The ground forces’ architecture, which previously restricted their coastal operations, has been dismantled. If they were to act, Yemen would simply not have the capacity to respond in the same way as before,” said Amr al-Bidh, the STC president’s special representative.
Even a single successful strike could scare shipowners and cause serious turmoil in global energy markets. This is especially the case given that most Saudi oil is exported to Asia, and alternative routes would significantly complicate logistics. Against this backdrop, frustration with Washington’s policy is growing in the Gulf states. Despite large-scale investment pledges and US support, the region is increasingly concerned about the possible consequences of further escalation.
Saudi Arabia is expected to continue pursuing a cautious strategy towards Iran. While the kingdom acknowledges that it has already weathered one crisis, a new wave of conflict could have far more serious consequences, particularly for the world’s largest oil-producing nation.