US and Saudi Arabia Expand Red Sea Shipping Route Amid Houthi Blockade

The United States and Saudi Arabia are planning to increase the use of a southern shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz to counter the Houthi blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb strait. This initiative follows a meeting between US Central Command chief Admiral Cooper and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to Gulf diplomatic sources. While currently operating at partial capacity, the US Navy has managed to facilitate the passage of approximately ten tankers daily, about half the pre-war traffic volume.

Global oil prices have surged in response to the escalating tensions and the perceived threat to shipping lanes. The US is providing various forms of assistance to Saudi Arabia and the internationally recognized Yemeni government in their fight against the Houthis, who have recently seized coastal areas and islands controlling Bab el-Mandeb. The disruption has already impacted the global energy market, with oil prices rising due to fears of further damage to tanker traffic.

Saudi Arabia has recently avoided sending tankers through the strait due to safety concerns and has halted oil transfers from its eastern coast to the western port of Yanbu following attacks on its east-west oil pipeline. The US is seeking to involve the regional coalition operating under CENTCOM, initially through intelligence sharing and resources, to support Saudi Arabia.

Should Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia intensify, a broader regional force might assist the Saudis in launching a direct offensive against the rebels. The US administration also aims to prevent further significant increases in oil prices, which could involve military action against Iran's offensive capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz.

Israel is also involved, with a senior security official indicating that intelligence and visual data are being shared within the CENTCOM framework, including with Saudi Arabia. While broader Israeli military involvement is not currently expected, Israel might assist in targeting Iranian assets in Yemen if the US launches a significant offensive and requests such support. Despite lacking diplomatic relations, Israel and Saudi Arabia maintain intelligence, commercial, and security ties, often indirectly. The situation has significant implications for Israel, as Bab el-Mandeb is a crucial route to the Red Sea, the Suez Canal, and the port of Eilat, which has been severely impacted by Houthi attacks on vessels bound for Israel since November 2023. Concurrently, the Trump administration is intensifying economic sanctions against Iran, recently exposing individuals allegedly aiding Iran in circumventing sanctions.