Saudi alerts sound as Yemen fighting puts key oil shipping routes under pressure

Saudi Arabia has issued repeated danger alerts for Riyadh and al-Kharj as the conflict with Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis escalates, heightening fears over two critical Middle Eastern shipping lanes already disrupted by the ongoing war. The Saudi Civil Defence later announced the danger had subsided. This follows an expanding Houthi missile and drone campaign that has struck Saudi cities, military installations, and energy facilities.

The Houthis claimed Saudi Arabia carried out 26 attacks on Houthi-controlled territory in the last 24 hours, and about 300 during the past week. In response, the Saudi-backed government reported killing 30 Houthi fighters and wounding over 60 in clashes in Taiz province. Shipping risks have risen due to Houthi territorial gains near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Commercial vessels have decreased from an average of 35 to 40 per day over the past eight weeks to between 26 and 35 vessels daily this week, according to Kpler data cited by CBS. Only five laden vessels carrying Saudi goods exited the Red Sea via Bab el-Mandeb in the past week. This comes as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted, with two vessels attacked there on Friday, according to a UK naval agency; Iran claimed responsibility for one of the strikes.

U.S. Central Command reported that its naval blockade has rerouted 105 commercial vessels heading to or from Iranian ports. Over 30 million barrels of Iranian or likely Iranian crude have been confined within the Persian Gulf. Brent crude prices reached around $104 per barrel on Friday, up from $88 three weeks ago. France announced plans to convene a G7 energy meeting to discuss releasing strategic reserves.

President Donald Trump signed legislation extending existing U.S. sanctions against Iran for another five years, until 2031. The financial toll of the conflict is growing. U.S. Central Command estimated American military expenditures on the war at $43.6 billion through September 3, including $28.1 billion for munitions. The Pentagon, as cited by the Chicago Tribune, reported 18 U.S. troops killed and more than 830 wounded.