Riyadh, Sept. 17 -- As Saudi Arabia continues facing mounting pressure from Iran's Houthi militants, the kingdom is seeking both military assistance and a secure route to export its crude, though there is no clear solution to either problem yet.
This comes as a key Saudi oil pipeline was reportedly shut down for weeks following an attack by Iran-backed militias in Iraq. The Houthis have also been targeting infrastructure inside the kingdom, as well as its shipping interests in the Red Sea, where they have seized several islands around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Iran, meanwhile, continues to target shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, while oil prices remain above USD $100 a barrel.
According to one regional official, Riyadh was currently caug...