The Houthi rebels launched a new attack on Saudi Arabia, stalling negotiations on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and risking a global oil shortage.
The Houthi rebels have escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia with missiles and drones, while Gulf Arab nations have postponed negotiations on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's oil pipeline remains shut down, risking a 4% disruption to global oil supply.
On September 15, 2026, at 8:36 AM, Reuters reported that the Houthi rebels in Yemen, supported by Iran, launched a new offensive against Saudi Arabia and reinforced their presence along Yemen's western coast on the Red Sea. This came as Gulf Arab nations postponed negotiations with Iran regarding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns that a war in the Middle East could escalate and threaten global oil supply.
Yemeni officials say the Houthi rebels' actions have prompted urgent discussions in Riyadh to determine a response, after the group rapidly advanced and continues to control large areas along Yemen's western coast bordering the Red Sea.
On Monday, the Houthi group said it fired dozens of missiles and drones at an air base in the southern Saudi city of Khamis Mushait, targeting aircraft hangars, radar systems, runways, and ammunition depots in retaliation for Saudi airstrikes in Yemen.
Saudi Arabian authorities declared an emergency in the city and three other cities to the south, while the Saudi-led coalition reported that 13 civilians were injured in the Houthi attacks.
The Houthi advance in recent days, including their seizure of Perim Island at the entrance to the Red Sea, has increased pressure on Saudi Arabia's oil exports after Thursday's airstrike halted operations of the country's East-West Pipeline. Riyadh blamed Iranian-backed militants in Iraq for the attack.
The approximately 1,200-kilometer-long oil pipeline, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea, was built in the 1980s as a bypass for the Strait of Hormuz during a period when that route faced risks from the Iran-Iraq war.
Market traders estimate that if Saudi Arabia's oil pipeline is shut down for an extended period while the Strait of Hormuz remains largely blocked, it could reduce global oil supply by up to 4%. The Saudi government has not yet disclosed when the pipeline will be able to resume operations.
In response to the Houthi offensive, the Saudi and Yemeni air forces have increased airstrikes against Houthi targets, including areas surrounding the Red Sea port of Mocha. However, internationally recognized Yemeni government officials state that the Houthis still effectively control nearly all of Yemen's western coastline along the Red Sea.
A Yemeni official stated that despite facing intense pressure, the Houthi group is also increasing pressure on Saudi Arabia by escalating missile and drone attacks.
This situation has impacted energy prices, with crude oil prices surging more than 4% during Monday's trading before closing about 1% higher.
Meanwhile, the renewed conflict in Yemen is posing a new challenge for President Donald Trump. Three sources told Reuters that the U.S. government has so far rejected Saudi Arabia's request for direct U.S. military intervention, beyond intelligence support.
Trump said over the weekend that he had spoken with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, while the Houthi group contacted Washington, urging the United States not to get involved in the conflict. Meanwhile, Saudi state media reported that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of the U.S. Central Command, in Jeddah on Monday.
Saudi Arabia has led the coalition forces fighting the Houthi rebels since 2558, before the conflict largely subsided under ceasefires in recent years. However, fighting reignited this month after the Houthis launched a counterattack against forces supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
In terms of diplomatic efforts, Oman was originally scheduled to host a meeting between Iran and Gulf Arab nations on Monday to discuss the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but Oman announced a postponement. Iran stated that the postponement was at the request of Saudi Arabia.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important oil shipping routes. Before the war, approximately 20% of the world's oil exports passed through it. However, the strait has been largely closed since the war began on February 28th, after Iran threatened ships traveling through it without permission.
Trump reiterated on Monday that Iran wants to reach a deal quickly, but Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, rejected this stance, stating that there would be no negotiations until Iran's conditions were met.
The maritime situation in the region remains volatile, with conflicting reports of damage to the Panamanian-flagged oil tanker El Gaia. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated the ship was struck by a mine while passing through a restricted area south of the Strait of Hormuz, while the U.S. Central Command denied this report, stating the vessel was disabled after being struck by an Iranian missile last month.
The United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) said El Gaia was damaged on Saturday, but did not specify the cause, and reported that two crew members were missing.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and under the control of the IRGC navy, amid concerns that escalating fighting could disrupt global transportation and energy supplies.
Reference: www.reuters.com
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