Saudi energy facilities attacked, Iran war spillover intensifies, Trump faces dual pressure from energy and midterm elections

BlockBeats news, September 14, according to the Financial Times, the U.S.-Iran conflict is accelerating its spillover beyond the Gulf region. As Saudi energy infrastructure comes under attack, the Trump administration faces rising energy and political pressure simultaneously. The Houthi armed group has recently taken control of most of Yemen's Red Sea coast and attacked Saudi energy facilities; meanwhile, a drone strike forced Saudi Arabia to shut down the East-West oil pipeline connecting the eastern and western parts of the country, with the attack reportedly originating from pro-Iranian Shiite militias inside Iraq.

The related attacks further threaten Saudi Arabia's alternative route for exporting oil bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. Previously, the United States sought to restore energy transportation through the Strait of Hormuz by protecting commercial vessels and other means, and oil shipping volumes once recovered to about one-third of pre-war levels. But if the East-West oil pipeline continues to be attacked, or if shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is further obstructed, Gulf energy supplies could face more severe disruptions.

The article points out that the war is simultaneously evolving into three fronts: military, economic, and public opinion. Iran's economy has already been hit by inflation and currency depreciation, but its political system can to some extent insulate itself from economic pressure; by contrast, the Trump administration faces midterm elections, and continuously rising gasoline prices will directly weaken Republican support rates. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries are also beginning to realize the fragility of their own energy infrastructure.

It is worth noting that Trump reportedly rejected Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's (MBS) request to immediately launch military strikes against the Houthi armed group. This may mean the United States is reassessing the effectiveness of military means. The Houthi armed group has long-term combat experience and has continued to survive under pressure from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the United States, Israel, and other countries with stronger military forces. As the front expands, Trump will face a key choice: continue confronting both Iran and the Houthi armed group simultaneously, or seek anew to reduce the cost of the conflict.