Saudis Urge Trump to Lift Iran Blockade Before Yemen Closes the Other One

Saudi Arabia has urged the United States to reconsider restrictions on Iranian ports as the continued pressure could escalate regional tensions and destabilize key maritime trade routes, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Riyadh is concerned that the current blockade could push Iran toward retaliatory actions rather than diplomatic engagement and endanger vital shipping lanes, including the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea. They fear Yemen’s Houthis could set up a second blockade to completely suspend oil shipments from the region.

Saudi officials fear that any escalation could have direct consequences for global energy flows, particularly if Iran or its regional allies move to disrupt maritime traffic in strategic waterways.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said President Donald Trump remains focused on ensuring open global energy routes, including the Strait of Hormuz.

“The President has been clear that he wants the Strait of Hormuz to remain fully open to enable the free flow of energy,” she said, as quoted by the Wall Street Journal. She added that the administration remains in close coordination with Gulf partners to prevent Iran from exerting economic pressure on the United States or its allies.

Saudi Arabia has already diversified its oil export routes by shifting more flows from its eastern facilities near the Gulf to western terminals on the Red Sea.

However, this alternative route carries its own risks. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait has previously been disrupted by Yemen’s Houthis.

Renewed instability in the area could force shipping reroutes around Africa and increase transport costs, they warned.