Saudi Arabia is pressuring the U.S. over the risk of a new escalation with Iran — WSJ

Saudi Arabia is calling on the U.S. to lift the blockade of Iranian ports and resume negotiations with Tehran.

This is reported by The Wall Street Journal.

According to sources, Riyadh fears that U.S. actions could provoke Iran into escalating tensions and even blocking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—one of the key oil transport routes.

It is noted that Saudi Arabia is already partially compensating for losses due to problems in the Strait of Hormuz by rerouting oil through the Red Sea.

At the same time, areas near Bab el-Mandeb are controlled by the Yemeni Houthis—allies of Iran—who could potentially block this route.

According to sources, the Houthis have assured Riyadh that they will not attack Saudi ships, but the situation remains unstable.

Saudi Arabia warns that if tensions escalate further, the Houthis may intervene more actively in the conflict or even begin charging fees for ships passing through the strait.

Iran has promised to sink U.S. ships in response to the blockade of its ports.

The U.S. has launched a full naval blockade of Iranian ports, and President Donald Trump has warned of the immediate destruction of any vessel attempting to breach it.

The U.S. announced the start of mine clearance operations in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, U.S. warships have passed through the strait for the first time since the start of the war without Iran’s approval.