Saudi Arabia’s dual-track diplomacy with the US, Iran and Houthis faces breaking point
Saudi Arabia’s strategy of courting both the United States and Iran while confronting Houthi attacks is unraveling, highlighted by its last-minute pull-out from a Gulf-Iran meeting in Oman.
Recent Houthi attacks on holy sites and Red Sea ports have underscored the fragility of Saudi Arabia’s balancing act between its US ally and Iranian adversaries. Riyadh withdrew from a crucial Omani-brokered meeting with Iran, Iraq and Gulf states after rejecting Tehran’s stance that the Strait of Hormuz is not an international waterway, a move reportedly influenced by pressure from the Trump administration. The United States, represented by CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper, has offered intelligence support but declined direct military involvement against the Houthis, limiting Saudi leverage.
Saudi officials also confirmed a drone strike on the East-West pipeline, forcing cuts to European crude shipments. Analysts warn that the kingdom cannot sustain a policy of simultaneous engagement and deterrence, and must eventually choose between a regional settlement and full alignment with the United States, with the risk of continued Houthi aggression and broader Gulf instability.
Why it matters
Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic deadlock could destabilize oil flows and heighten security risks across the Gulf region.
How this story developed
- Sep 8 Houthi strikes wound dozens in Saudi cities as coalition vows retaliation
- Sep 11 Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry said the pipeline was targeted by several drones launched from Iraq, causing human injuries and damage.
- Sep 12 Saudi Arabia closed its oil pipeline after drone attacks traced to Iraq.
- Sep 12 Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said navigation in the Red Sea was safe except for Saudi ships.
- Sep 12 Experts noted Iran now influences both the Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab chokepoints.
- Sep 13 Houthis announced a drone and missile strike on Saudi Sharurah military base.
- Sep 13 Saudi east‑west oil pipeline shut after a drone strike.
- Sep 13 Houthis allege Saudi forces carried out more than 50 attacks on their targets in a single day.
- Sep 14 Two unnamed sources said that the East-West crude line was hit by a drone strike, halting most of its operations. Repair work, including the main pumping station, is expected to take between three and five weeks. One source indicated the pipeline might run at reduced capacity while fixes are underway. U.S. officials confirmed projectiles struck pumping stations on the line. Satellite images show significant damage at the affected sites.
- Sep 14 In a post on X, the European Commission President condemned the Houthi assault on Saudi and American military sites, calling it an act of aggression. She stressed that the EU will continue cooperating with Gulf partners to ensure secure, free shipping through the Hormuz Strait. The statement also highlighted the broader goal of Middle-East stability, which the EU views as a shared interest. The Houthi group claimed to have launched dozens of ballistic missiles and drones, citing retaliation for Saudi air strikes in Yemen. Saudi officials responded by ordering air patrols in several southern regions.
- Sep 14 The displacement figure has risen to nearly 86,000.
- Sep 14 President Donald Trump indicated that Iran wants to negotiate with the United States.
- Sep 15 Houthi forces reported seizing the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands.
- Sep 15 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met President Abdel Fattah al‑Sisi in Cairo to discuss Red Sea navigation and retaliation against the Houthis.
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