Saudi Oil Diversion Exposes Weaknesses in Trump Blockade Strategy

Oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz are at 13.1 million barrels per day, approximately 77 percent of pre-war levels.

This has led many analysts to celebrate President Donald Trump's strategy as a success in increasing oil exports.

However, Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, argues that this increase is not due to the blockade, but rather Saudi Arabia's decision to divert its oil exports through the East-West Petroline and the Port of Yanbu.

Rubin points out that while oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz are increasing, they are declining almost as sharply through the Bab el-Mandeb, the southern gateway to the Red Sea.

This decline is due in part to the Houthi capture of Mokha and Perim Island, which has given them control over the second most important natural chokepoint in the Middle East.