Thunderstorms and flash floods expected in several Saudi regions Sunday

Saudi Arabia is often perceived as a strong and powerful state, but the reality is quite different. Following the Iranian revolution in 1979, Iran gained control of a more populous neighbor that shared a border with Saudi Arabia, particularly in the south along the Yemen border. This region was home to the Saudi Shi’ite minority, who faced long-standing suppression.

Moreover, Iran's Shi’ite population resided in the same area where the Saudis produced most of their oil. Recognizing the threat, Saudi Arabia supported Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), which helped sustain Saddam Hussein’s regime. This investment proved fruitful, as Iran refrained from directly attacking Saudi Arabia for a decade.

However, the Saudis have struggled since then, as Iran's influence expanded through its militia proxies in nearby countries, aiming to create a "ring of fire" around Israel and ultimately transform the Gulf states into Iranian vassals. Lebanon was the first battleground in this proxy war, where the Saudis failed to prevail against the Iranian-backed militias.

Lebanon’s government later became dominated by Hezbollah, another Iran-supported group, further diminishing Saudi influence.

Similar defeats occurred in Iraq and Yemen, where the Saudis attempted to back minority Sunni militias and even groups like ISIS to counter Iran's influence. However, Iran exploited these situations to consolidate its power, establishing strong Shi’ite militias that controlled political and administrative structures. In Yemen, Saudi Arabia's six-year war against the Iran-backed Houthis yielded little success, and the Kingdom ultimately opted for a ceasefire in 2022, continuing to support the Yemeni government.

However, recent developments in the Red Sea and the Houthis' growing control of key strategic routes present a grave threat. If the Houthis advance along Route 10, a major Saudi highway leading to the oil fields and Riyadh, they could directly threaten the country's oil infrastructure, prompting Saudi Arabia to acknowledge defeat and become an Iranian satellite state.

The United States and Israel must be vigilant against such scenarios, closely monitoring Houthi movements and ensuring prompt intelligence to separate Houthi forces from civilians. Preventing the downfall of Saudi Arabia is crucial for safeguarding the free world, where the US and Israel are the few forces capable of resisting Iranian aggression.