Keep pulling the thread on Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is urging the United States to abandon its blockade strategy against Iran, warning that the policy could escalate into a wider regional crisis.
Saudi Arabia fears that United States pressure tactics against Iran could provoke retaliation that threatens both regional stability and the global energy system.
Saudi Arabian officials have warned that Iran may escalate regional tensions by targeting the Bab al-Mandab strait.
Iran could potentially use its Houthi allies in Yemen to disrupt shipping in the Red Sea via the Bab al-Mandab strait, expanding the footprint of a regional conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz is a transit chokepoint for nearly one-fifth of the world's global oil supply.
A simultaneous disruption at the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab strait is predicted to cause a surge in oil prices and severely impact global supply chains.
Due to its reliance on Red Sea export routes, Saudi Arabia is advocating for negotiations with Iran rather than military escalation.
Saudi Arabia is concerned that an escalating regional conflict could result in its own oil export infrastructure becoming a military target.
The United Arab Emirates is increasing its diplomatic and strategic engagement with China and supports China's call for a political solution to regional tensions.
Gulf powers, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, are hedging against US policy by diversifying their foreign alliances and engaging more with countries like China.
The stated goal of the US President's policy is to prevent Iran from using its strategic position to extort the United States or other countries.
The Bab al-Mandab strait serves as a key maritime link for trade between Asia and Europe via the Suez Canal.