Iran's "Axis of Resistance" Launches Triple Offensive... Saudi Oil Transport Network Facing Blockade Crisis

Saudi Oil Export Routes Blocked by Land and Sea
Global Oil Prices Surge Above $110 Per Barrel
Trump: "Iran Is a Sponsor of Terrorism"

The fear of a Middle East-led "energy crisis" is becoming a reality as Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, suffers repeated disruptions to its oil transport network.

According to major international news agencies on September 11 (local time), a drone attack targeting the Riyadh and Medina regions of Saudi Arabia on the previous day halted operations on the critical East-West Pipeline. This pipeline, which stretches 1,200 kilometers across the Arabian Peninsula to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea, is a crucial route used to reroute about 5 million barrels of oil per day, accounting for 4–5% of the world’s total oil supply.

It has been confirmed that the drones used in this attack were launched from Iraq. On September 12, Iraq's Prime Minister's Office acknowledged that the drones were fired from Iraqi territory, dismissed one military commander, and closed the Shalamcheh border checkpoint, which is adjacent to Iran. The dismissed commander had been in charge of the Maysan province in southern Iraq, a key base for pro-Iranian Shia forces. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has agreed to postpone retaliatory measures, accepting a request from the Iraqi government.

Still, oil export disruptions for Saudi Arabia seem inevitable. According to Kpler, Saudi Arabia's daily oil exports last month reached just 3.2 million barrels, dropping to a 13-year low and less than half of the pre-war level of about 7 million barrels. With the East-West Pipeline now shut down as well, Saudi Arabia’s export capacity is expected to become even further constrained.

The Houthi rebels in Yemen, a key pillar of Iran's "Axis of Resistance," are rapidly seizing strategic points at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, specifically the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Houthis, having occupied the major port of Mocha just a day earlier, proceeded to seize the strategically located Perim Island (Mayyun Island) in the middle of the strait, effectively securing control over it. If the Houthis succeed in fully blocking the strait, Saudi Arabia will find its export routes cut off both eastward via the Strait of Hormuz and westward via the Red Sea. Foreign media outlets reported that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was directly commanding the Houthi advance, although Iran has denied accusations of proxy involvement.

In this crisis, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has called U.S. President Donald Trump at least twice to request military support. However, the United States has reportedly declined, seeking to avoid opening a new front as its forces remain focused on the Strait of Hormuz. Nevertheless, the Trump Administration has acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and continues to consult with the governments of Saudi Arabia and Yemen. There is also a possibility that the conflict could escalate into a full-scale war involving the United States, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq, depending on developments on the ground.

Tensions between the United States and Iran are also escalating. At the September 11 attacks' 25th anniversary memorial, President Trump condemned Iran as "the world's biggest state sponsor of terrorism." In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian referred to the U.S. airstrike in February that killed 182 Iranians, including elementary school children, stating, "Those very same devils are responsible for attacking our children."

Market instability has reached its peak. Brent crude oil surged above $110 per barrel during trading, while U.S. diesel prices soared more than 60% since the start of the conflict, reaching $6.06 per gallon. U.S. gasoline prices also jumped by about 44%. These surging energy prices are intensifying inflationary pressure and are likely to become a serious political burden for President Trump and the Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.