Saudi Arabia has expressed concern over the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that it could provoke Iran into retaliating by disrupting other vital shipping routes, particularly the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The blockade, which began recently, aims to cripple the Iranian economy but poses significant risks to Saudi oil exports. Since the blockade, Saudi Arabia has rerouted its oil exports through the Yanbu terminal on the Red Sea, but this workaround is at risk if the Houthis, who control the Yemeni side of Bab al-Mandeb, decide to close the strait. The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is a critical chokepoint for global trade, linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Saudi officials have indicated that while they have secured commitments from the Houthis not to target their shipping, the situation remains precarious. Both Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states are urging the US to seek a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing tensions with Iran, emphasizing the need for negotiations to avoid further escalation.