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 move comes after a meeting between U.S. Central Command chief Admiral Cooper and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to Gulf diplomatic sources. While this route is currently operating at partial capacity, the U.S. Navy has facilitated 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 practical blockade of Bab el-Mandeb by the Houthi rebels, who have recently seized coastal areas and islands controlling the strait. Saudi Arabia has avoided sending tankers through the strait due to attack fears and has halted oil transfers from its eastern coast to the western port of Yanbu following attacks on its east-west oil pipeline.

The U.S. is seeking to leverage the regional coalition operating under CENTCOM to support Saudi Arabia, initially with intelligence and resources. If Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia intensify, a broader regional force might be deployed for a direct offensive against the rebels. The U.S. administration also aims to prevent further significant oil price increases, potentially involving military action against Iranian attack capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz.

Israel is also involved, with a senior security official indicating that intelligence and visual data are being shared through CENTCOM channels, including with Saudi Arabia. While broader Israeli military involvement is not currently expected, Israel might assist in targeting Iranian assets in Yemen if the U.S. 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. The Eilat port has been severely impacted by Houthi attacks on vessels bound for Israel since November 2023. Alongside military pressure, the Trump administration is also intensifying economic sanctions against Iran, recently exposing individuals accused of helping Iran evade sanctions.