Brief
Gulf producers keep oil flowing as Iran blocks Strait of Hormuz
Saudi and UAE oil companies used alternative pipelines and routes to maintain exports after Iran’s blockade.
By Felo News Desk · Published
When Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz at the start of the war, it cut off about 15 million barrels of oil a day. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates quickly turned to alternative routes, using the East‑West pipeline to Yanbu and a pipeline across Oman to Fujairah. These routes had spare capacity, allowing the Gulf producers to keep exports flowing. In May, ship operators began using a U.S.‑supervised route near Oman, defying Iran’s demands. By September, oil prices were around $100 a barrel, higher than before the war but not as high as feared. The U.S. naval blockade and tightened sanctions have also pressured Iran, while the Gulf producers’ workarounds have kept the global supply chain largely intact.
Key facts
- Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz, cutting 15 million barrels a day (independent.co.uk)
- Saudi Arabia used the East‑West pipeline to Yanbu (independent.co.uk)
- UAE used a pipeline across Oman to Fujairah (independent.co.uk)
- Oil prices rose to about $100 a barrel (independent.co.uk)
- U.S. naval blockade and sanctions pressured Iran (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Gulf nations keep oil flowing despite Iran war as costs mount”
