Renewed concerns over Gulf oil supplies have emerged as Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi armed group reached Perim Island in the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia's vital East-West oil pipeline has been temporarily shut down following a drone attack originating from Iraq.

Four sources within the Yemeni government told Reuters on Friday (September 11) that the Houthi group has arrived on Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

This development raises fears that their control over this critical global shipping lane could be further solidified.

At the same time, Saudi officials confirmed the temporary shutdown of the kingdom's East-West oil pipeline.

The pipeline plays a crucial role in mitigating oil trade bottlenecks in the Strait of Hormuz.

With diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict stalled, the pipeline closure places additional pressure on Gulf oil supplies.

If the Iranian-aligned group maintains full control over the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a second critical supply route—alongside the Strait of Hormuz on the opposite side of the Arabian Peninsula—will fall under Iranian influence.

This could further reduce supply through a major secondary waterway and drive up oil prices.

Sources indicated that Houthi attacks could dangerously escalate the situation. In response, Saudi Arabia has requested military assistance from Washington.

However, uncertainty remains over whether U.S. President Donald Trump and his Republican Party will take action amid the new Middle East tensions, as they face political pressure ahead of November's congressional elections.

Two sources from the Saudi-backed, internationally recognized Yemeni government stated that their forces have withdrawn from Perim.

At the same time, the Houthis have captured Dhubab, a Red Sea coastal town on the mainland located directly opposite Perim Island.

The current conflict began about six months ago with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade passes, has effectively been shut down. Consequently, Saudi Arabia—the world's largest oil exporter and a close U.S. ally—has relied more heavily on the Red Sea route.

State media, citing a source within the Saudi Ministry of Energy, reported that existing pipeline capacity has been temporarily suspended following multiple drone attacks on the East-West pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions.

It remains unclear who carried out the attack. Saudi Arabia only stated that the drones came from Iraq, where Iran-backed armed militias maintain a presence.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Riyadh has not launched any retaliatory strikes following a request from the Iraqi Prime Minister. The Iraqi government has also condemned the attack.

Spanning 1,200 kilometers, this oil pipeline serves as the primary alternative route for delivering Saudi oil to global markets while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.

According to vessel-tracking firms and analysts, the pipeline has transported 4 to 5 million barrels of oil per day in recent months, accounting for 4 to 5 percent of global supply.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that several people were injured in the attack and the extent of the damage is being assessed, though details regarding the impact on exports were not disclosed.

The International Energy Agency stated on Friday that Saudi Arabia's crude oil supply has dropped to its lowest level in over three decades, citing attacks by groups close to the Houthis on vessels transiting the Bab al-Mandeb as a contributing factor.

Although oil prices dipped slightly on Friday, they are on track to remain above $100 per barrel by the end of the week, marking the first time since mid-May.

Meanwhile, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that maritime navigation remains safe for all vessels except Saudi ships, noting that previously announced restrictions on Saudi vessels will remain in force.

Saudi Crown Prince Requests Assistance from Trump
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called Trump at least twice on Thursday to request U.S. military assistance in the fight against the Houthis, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Friday, corroborating a prior report by Axios.

Sources noted that Washington has not yet agreed to take direct military action, though it has offered to share intelligence and assist with targeting.

The White House did not directly respond to Reuters' inquiries regarding the phone call between Trump and the Saudi Crown Prince, but a senior U.S. administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that Washington remains in regular communication with the Saudi and Yemeni governments.