Saudi Arabia Faces 'Worst-Case Scenario': Houthi Attacks Escalate, Trump Refuses Military Intervention

September 14, according to The New York Times, Saudi Arabia is mired in an increasingly severe strategic dilemma. Over the past two weeks, Saudi Arabia has been hit by attacks from Iran-backed forces from the east, south, and north, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last week asked Trump to take military action against the Houthis in Yemen, but Trump refused.

Recently, a Saudi oil tanker was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, killing 2 crew members; the Houthis have also expanded operations in the Red Sea direction and defeated Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces. At the same time, a drone attack by an Iran-backed Iraqi militia group struck a key Saudi oil pipeline, forcing it to shut down. The pipeline was originally an important alternative route for Saudi Arabia to export oil to the Red Sea while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney said Saudi Arabia is currently "really very frustrated," and the situation has to some extent turned into its "worst-case scenario."

Analysts believe that Trump, amid the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran and with naval power and ammunition stockpiles under strain, is unwilling to open a new front for Saudi Arabia against the Houthis. Facing limited military options, Saudi Arabia may turn to diplomacy and seek new arrangements with Iran and other Gulf states, and may even once again rely on China's mediation.