Saudi officials are assessing not only immediate risks in the Gulf but also the possibility that Iran could respond through allied groups across the region.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Saudi Arabia is urging the United States to lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuzand return to negotiations with Iran.
Riyadh fears the situation could escalate further, potentially threatening Red Sea shipping routes and Saudi oil exports. One major concern is that Iran could act through the Houthis in Yemen to disrupt the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a vital trade route.
Analysts warn that such a move would increase pressure on global energy markets and deepen existing disruptions. At the same time, some experts suggest Iran may still prefer de-escalation and a negotiated outcome, viewing further escalation as a contingency rather than a primary strategy.
Gulf states remain on edge after previous missile and drone attacks on critical infrastructure, with concerns that tensions around Hormuz could quickly spread across the region.
For Saudi Arabia and its neighbors, the Strait of Hormuz is a critical economic lifeline, handling a significant share of global oil trade. Any prolonged disruption risks destabilizing markets and undermining confidence in the region’s energy supply.