Saudi Arabia is urging the US to de-escalate tensions with Iran amid fears that retaliatory attacks in the Red Sea could severely disrupt its oil exports and economy.
Saudi Arabia is pressing the United States to scale back its Middle East war, fearing Iran could retaliate by disrupting key oil routes. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly urging former President Donald Trump to lift the naval quarantine on Iranian ports and return to negotiations. Gulf diplomats say Riyadh is concerned Tehran could direct Houthi forces in Yemen to block the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a vital Red Sea chokepoint.
The shift marks a change in Saudi Arabia’s earlier stance, where it privately supported a tougher approach against Iran. However, growing fears of economic fallout have prompted caution, especially after Iran’s earlier move to close the Strait of Hormuz forced the kingdom to reroute oil exports. While Saudi Arabia has managed to stabilise exports, analysts warn that renewed Houthi attacks could severely disrupt shipping and global energy markets.
Regional tensions remain high, with concerns that even limited disruption in the Red Sea could deter oil tankers and trigger wider economic instability. Analysts note that the Houthis still retain the capacity to launch maritime attacks despite previous US and allied strikes. Saudi officials now appear to favour a more cautious approach, amid worries that prolonged conflict could inflict deeper economic damage.