Iran Allies Threaten Oil Routes as Conflict Spreads

Perim Island, Yemen — Six months after attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, the wider conflict is continuing to grow. Fighting in Yemen and attacks on Saudi Arabia are threatening routes used to move oil and gas.

Before the war, about 20% of the world’s oil and gas traveled through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway controlled by Iran. Iran has blocked many Western ships from using it. Other routes, including the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia’s East-West Crude Oil Pipeline, became more important.

But those alternatives are now under pressure too. A temporary U.S.-Iran peace deal ended last month, and attacks on ships have increased. The U.S. has moved some ships through the strait, but much less oil is passing through than before the war.

In Yemen, the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group has been fighting Saudi Arabia and Yemen government forces. The Houthis announced a blockade of Saudi Arabia after Saudi Arabia attacked an airport in Yemen’s capital in July. The two sides have since exchanged drone and missile attacks.

In early September, the Houthis began fighting again to take more territory. The fighting forced tens of thousands of people from their homes. The group later captured the port city of Mocha and, by last Friday, controlled Yemen’s entire Red Sea coast, including Perim Island.

Control of this coastline could allow the Houthis, with Iran’s support, to limit ship traffic in the Red Sea. Meanwhile, Iran-backed groups in Iraq launched drones at Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline last Thursday and Friday. The damage forced Saudi Arabia to close the pipeline.

It is unclear how Saudi Arabia will respond or whether it will become more involved in the growing conflict.