Saudi Arabia quietly presses U.S. to stop Strait of Hormuz blockade over fears of Iranian retaliation
The kingdom has issued no public statement on the U.S. action, which took effect on April 13 following the collapse of peace talks in Islamabad. Arab officials told the WSJ that Saudi Arabia is urging a return to diplomacy.
Saudi Arabia is reportedly pressing the United States to end its naval blockade of vessels linked to Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Riyadh fears that the escalation could prompt Iran to disrupt shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea — a key alternative route for Saudi oil exports that has gained importance as traffic through the Persian Gulf has been disrupted.
The kingdom has issued no public statement on the U.S. action, which took effect on April 13 following the collapse of peace talks in Islamabad. Arab officials told the WSJ that Saudi Arabia is urging a return to diplomacy.
Gulf energy exporters are particularly concerned about potential Iranian retaliation against Red Sea routes, especially after an Iranian drone strike on April 8 hit a pumping station on Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline, a critical bypass route to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. The attack contributed to a temporary drop in Saudi oil output.
U.S. Central Command has clarified that the blockade targets maritime traffic entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, while allowing vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports to continue.
Oil prices surged in response to the blockade announcement, with both Brent and WTI crude briefly crossing 100 dollars per barrel amid concerns over further disruptions to global energy flows.
Several European countries, including Britain, France, and Germany, have declined to join the U.S.-led effort. France and the UK are reportedly co-hosting talks focused on restoring freedom of navigation in the region.
