Saudi Arabia has few options as it faces mounting threats from Iran, allies

The useful part

Dubai, Sep 13: A lightning advance by Houthi rebels threatens a crucial Red Sea shipping route. Drone attacks blamed on Iraqi militias have forced the closure of a major pipeline, and Iran is still disrupting the Strait of Hormuz. It is a nightmare scenario for Saudi Arabia, and it has sent jitters through global markets.

How it works

• The Saudis' most essential ally, the United States, has been unpredictable and sometimes unreliable.
• A Saudi official, who was not authorised to brief media and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the kingdom would defend itself and work with partners, including the United States, to ensure freedom of...
• US President Donald Trump seems reluctant to widen an already unpopular and stalemated Mideast war ahead of congressional elections.
• For Iran, the rebels' advance and closure of the pipeline ramp up global economic pressure as its grip over the Strait of Hormuz has been loosened.
• Michael Ratney, a former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said the latest developments are "incredibly frustrating" for the kingdom.

What to take from it

"Despite their antipathy for the Iranians, this is a war they never asked for, they had great trepidation about. Once it started, all of their … worst-case scenarios started coming true." The Saudi government did not respond to a request for comment.