Saudi Arabia Condemns Houthi Naval Blockade as Fears Grow Over Global Oil Supply.

Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned the Houthi movement's declaration of a naval blockade targeting the kingdom, warning that it threatens regional security and global energy supplies.

The announcement comes as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted due to the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, forcing Saudi Arabia to rely more heavily on the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait to export crude oil.

In a statement, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry rejected Houthi accusations that Riyadh is imposing a blockade on Yemen and vowed to take all necessary measures to protect its commercial vessels and national interests.

The Iran-backed Houthis said the maritime blockade was a response to what they described as years of Saudi-led restrictions on Yemen, adding that any further action against them would be met with a stronger military response.

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is one of the world's busiest shipping routes, linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Analysts warn that any disruption to traffic through the waterway could significantly affect global oil exports and international trade.

Saudi Arabia currently transports millions of barrels of crude oil daily through its East-West Pipeline to the Red Sea port of Yanbu before shipments continue through Bab al-Mandeb to major markets in Asia.

Countries such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea—among the largest importers of Saudi crude—could face higher energy costs if the blockade disrupts supplies. Europe may also experience increased fuel prices due to reduced petroleum exports from Asia.

Energy experts caution that prolonged disruptions could tighten global oil supplies, drive crude prices higher, and increase inflationary pressures across both Western and Asian economies.

The latest escalation also raises concerns that Yemen's fragile ceasefire could collapse, further destabilising the region and threatening one of the world's most important maritime trade corridors.

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