Fighting Threatens Key Oil Routes Near Yemen
Iran and allied groups are trying to limit oil shipments through important waterways as fighting grows in Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
9/25/2026Fighting linked to Iran is putting major oil-shipping routes at risk, including routes near Yemen’s Red Sea coast.
About six months after the United States and Israel attacked Iran, the conflict has continued. Iran has restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that carried about 20% of the world’s oil and gas before the war.
Oil companies tried other routes, including the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia’s East-West Crude Oil Pipeline. But both are now under threat.
Houthi rebels, an Iran-backed armed group in Yemen, have been fighting Saudi Arabia and Yemen government forces. In July, Saudi Arabia attacked an airport in Yemen’s capital that was controlled by the Houthis. The Houthis then announced a blockade of Saudi Arabia and later attacked two Saudi oil tankers.
In early September, the Houthis captured the port city of Mocha. By last Friday, the group had taken control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coast, including Perim Island. This could allow the Houthis to make ship travel in the Red Sea more difficult.
Meanwhile, Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq launched drones at Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline last Thursday and Friday. Saudi Arabia shut down the pipeline after it was damaged.
Many people are watching to see how Saudi Arabia responds and whether the conflict spreads further.