Rubio reaffirms US commitment to Saudi Arabia amid Yemen escalation

Tuesday 22 September 2026 - 23:00

By: Azzat Manal

Rubio reaffirms US commitment to Saudi Arabia amid Yemen escalation

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to its defense arrangements with Saudi Arabia, saying the United States intends to meet its obligations to the kingdom as regional tensions continue to rise.

In an interview with Fox News, Rubio said Washington has a defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and intends to honor the commitments it has made under the arrangement. His remarks came as Saudi Arabia faces growing security concerns linked to the escalating conflict in Yemen and attacks targeting its territory and energy infrastructure.

Rubio described the situation in Yemen as highly complex and dangerous, while stressing the importance of protecting Saudi Arabia’s economy and maritime routes in the Red Sea. He also highlighted the need to restore normal operations of the kingdom’s East-West oil pipeline, an important piece of infrastructure for transporting crude to the Red Sea.

The pipeline had been disrupted following drone attacks, according to Saudi and international reports. Saudi Arabia subsequently resumed operations at a reduced rate, with efforts under way to restore the system toward its full capacity. The pipeline can transport up to around 4 million barrels of crude per day and provides an alternative route for Saudi oil exports that avoids the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest developments come amid a broader escalation involving Yemen’s Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia. The Houthis have increased their military activity in areas close to the Red Sea and have launched attacks involving drones and missiles, while Saudi forces have carried out strikes against Houthi positions. Reuters has reported that the escalation has raised concerns over maritime security around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world's key shipping routes.

Saudi Arabia has also been seeking greater security support as Houthi advances and cross-border attacks increase. Earlier reports indicated that Riyadh had urged Washington to consider direct military action against the Houthis, although the Trump administration had so far been cautious about becoming directly involved in the fighting.

The security situation is closely connected to wider tensions across the Middle East. The United States remains engaged in a broader confrontation with Iran, while Washington and Tehran have recently signaled a possible opening for renewed negotiations. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has faced the effects of attacks linked to Iran-backed forces and disruptions affecting regional energy and shipping routes.

The East-West pipeline has become particularly important as instability around the region's maritime chokepoints threatens energy flows. Its partial reopening has already contributed to improved expectations for Gulf oil supplies and a decline in international crude prices.

Rubio’s comments underline the importance Washington places on its security relationship with Riyadh at a time when attacks on Saudi territory, energy infrastructure and regional shipping routes are creating additional pressure on the kingdom.

For Saudi Arabia, the immediate challenge is to protect critical infrastructure and maintain secure trade and energy routes while managing the consequences of the conflict in Yemen. For the United States, the situation adds another layer to its broader effort to address security risks across the Gulf and Red Sea while limiting the possibility of a wider regional escalation.