Saudi Oil Under Siege as Iran-Backed Houthis Launch Attacks

Saudi Arabia's oil production is under threat due to attacks by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, according to an expert.

Hussain Abdul-Hussain, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, stated that 'the situation is really precarious for the Saudis.' He added that this is 'the biggest threat to their production of oil since their kingdom was founded in 1932. And this is almost existential.'

The Houthis have launched cross-border attacks and seized territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which is a key shipping route.

Absul-Hussain believes that Iran 'likely instigated' the Houthis to force a blockade on Saudi Arabia. He stated that 'what the Iranians are trying to do is that they're trying to telegraph to the other oil exporters in the region that either we export, all of us export oil, or none of us will export oil.'

The US has not announced any plans to get involved in the conflict, but instead may offer advice and support to Saudi Arabia. Abdul-Hussain noted that 'the Houthis made it clear that they are not going after international shipping, whether [they] are U.S. ships or European ships.'