Expert: Saudi Arabia faces ‘biggest threat’ to oil production since 1932

Hussain Abdul-Hussain, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital that Saudi Arabia is facing the 'biggest threat' to its oil production since the kingdom's founding in 1932. He described the situation, driven by attacks from Iran-backed Houthis near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, as existential for Riyadh. The expert suggested that by targeting Saudi export routes, Iran is signaling that either all regional countries export oil or none will. Recently, Saudi Arabia was forced to temporarily close its East-West oil pipeline following a drone attack launched from Iraq. Reports also indicate that the Saudi Crown Prince urged President Donald Trump to take military action against the Houthis, though Trump stated that the Houthis have indicated they do not wish to fight the United States. A senior U.S. administration official stated that Washington remains focused on protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea while empowering regional allies to manage their own security challenges.