Saudi Arabia’s urging the U.S. to end the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has nothing to do with any loyalty to the Islamic Republic of Iran. It has everything to do with an escalation in the war with Iran that the Saudis fear would lead to the targeting of the Bab al-Mandeb waterway. Saudi Arabia uses this waterway to ship its oil. Dragging the Iran-backed Houthis into the conflict is a paramount concern. The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is a vital chokepoint for global oil and maritime traffic. Some 10-15% of international trade passes through this route. Should the Houthis decide to tie up shipping traffic, which they likely would, shipping vessels would be forced to reroute. Greater global shipping costs will result and that will translate into economic woes globally.
The Houthis should not be underestimated. They are a zealous force to reckon with, despite their primitive image. In 2024, the Yemeni government warned of a Houthi threat to the “world’s digital infrastructure.”
“Could Bab Al-Mandeb Be Next Strait Of Hormuz? Saudi Arabia Reportedly Concerned,” by Zachary Folk, Forbes, April 14, 2026:
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told Forbes that Trump wanted the Strait of Hormuz “fully open to facilitate the free flow of energy,” and the government was in “frequent contact” with gulf allies. Unnamed Saudi energy officials also told the Journal they had commitments from the Houthis not to attack Saudi ships passing through the Bab al-Mandeb.
“Today, the unified command of the Resistance front views Bab al-Mandeb as it does Hormuz,” Velayati wrote. This could refer to Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” the loosely aligned groups of militias and other groups supported by Iran, which include the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Kata’ib Hezbollah in Iraq. “If the White House dares to repeat its foolish mistakes, it will soon realize that the flow of global energy and trade can be disrupted with a single move,” Velayati added.
WHY IS THE BAB AL-MANDEB STRAIT IMPORTANT?
The closure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait could further disrupt global trade, blocking yet another chokepoint for the petroleum exporting nations to ship oil and natural gas out of the region. An estimated 4.1 million barrels of petroleum products traveled through the strait per day in 2024, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency. In comparison, about 20 million barrels traveled through the Strait of Hormuz in 2025, according to the International Energy Agency. The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is one of the alternative routes for petroleum exporters to ship oil to Asia. About 7 million barrels of oil are now shipped to the Saudi Arabian city of Yanbu, a port on the Red Sea, through a pipeline…
Billy says
Although Iran and Saudi Arabia are Muslim enemies of one another, Iran and Saudi Arabia are also Muslim enemies of America and Israel and all Non-Muslims as taught by Allah in Islam’s Qur’an. Allah in Qur’an 5:51 says, “O you who have believed[Muslims], DO NOT TAKE the Jews and the Nasara(Christians) as friends. They are friends to one another. And whoever among you takes them as friends, so surely he is of them. Surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.” Also, Allah says that Jews are the worst enemies of the Muslims in Qur’an 5:82.
ALLAH claims MUSLIMS are a greater TERROR than Allah when Allah in Qur’an 59:13 says, “You[Muslims] are a greater terror in their chests than Allah. This is because they[Jews & Christians] are people who do not understand.” Allah in Qur’an 9:29 commands, “Engage in war with those who do not believe in Allah nor in the last day[Non-Muslims]. Nor forbid what Allah and his messenger forbid[via Islamic Law], nor believe in the religion of the truth[Islam] among those who have given the book[Jews and Christians] until they pay the jizyah[Extortion Payment] out of hand and they are subdued[disgraced].”
Tony says
President SHOULD NOT STOP the blockade in the area of Hormuz, and President Trump SHOULD THREATEN the Houthi Muslims with annihilation if the Muslims attack ships in the Bab Al-Mandeb waterway. Muslims are anxious to go to Paradise, and President Trump should make it a WIN-WIN as taught by Allah in Islam’s Qur’an(Qur’an 9:5, 29, 111; 49:15, etc.). Allah’s Muslims desire to make Islam supreme using their man-made book of lies and deceit, the Qur’an. Allah in Qur’an 9:111 says, “Surely Allah has purchased from the believers[Muslims] their souls and their money so that they may have the garden[Heavenly Paradise]. They engage in war for the sake of Allah[ie. Allah’s Cause to make Islam Supreme], so they kill and are killed…”.
gravenimage says
Saudi officials urge U.S. to end blockade of the Strait of Hormuz
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The Saudis are *not* our allies.
GE says
So true! And they’re really good at playing “Let’s you and him fight”.
gravenimage says
True, GE. I forget which Saudi said this, but do you remember (I’m paraphrasing) him saying that if he wanted something done that she just clapped his hands and his “blue-eyed slaves”–the Americans–would see to it. And this was, if I recall correctly, way back in the ’90s.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
I believe it was the late King Abdullah, the brother of the current king Salman
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Also, the Houthis have a limited range. The Saudis do have a pipeline to the Red Sea, and could over time build some more headed to Neom/Aqaba/Eilat, from where they could get to the Suez. On the Arabian Sea side, they could have an arrangement w/ Oman to build a pipeline there, and ship oil/gas from Muscat to countries in the Indian Ocean or beyond
Also Riyadh knows full well that it’s Iran that’s blockading the Strait of Hormuz, and not the US. Although now, the US navy has established a control that no traffic can go to or from Iranian ports. Maybe the next thing they should do is seize Kharg Island, so that there is no more oil sales by the islamic regime
gravenimage says
True, Infidel.