Saudi Pipeline Halted Amid Houthi Island Capture Escalates Iran War
Saudi Arabia has shut down its major East-West pipeline as a precautionary measure after it was attacked by drones. The attack, which occurred on Thursday, targeted the pipeline built in the 1980s that plays a crucial role in Saudi Arabia's ability to export oil.
The Houthis' capture of Mayun Island, a strategic location inside the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, has opened up a new front in the Iran war. The island is one of the world's key shipping lanes, and its capture could boost Iran's strategy of driving up world oil prices to pressure the United States.
The Houthis have been attacking Saudi shipping on the Red Sea since declaring a blockade in July, as well as hitting oil infrastructure inside Saudi Arabia. The rebels said they acted in response to the kingdom's years-long blockade of Houthi-held parts of Yemen.