Saudi Arabia has pressed the United States to abandon its newly imposed naval blockade of Iranian ports along the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the move risks provoking Tehran to disrupt shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea.

The U.S. military enacted the blockade on Monday, April 13, following the collapse of weekend diplomatic talks aimed at reopening the strait, which Iran had effectively closed early in the ongoing war by attacking vessels. The action targets Iran's oil exports to further pressure its economy, already strained by the conflict that began on February 28. U.S. Central Command stated that unauthorized vessels entering or leaving the blockaded area face interception, diversion, or capture, while affirming freedom of navigation for non-Iranian ports.

Arab officials cited by The Wall Street Journal said Saudi Arabia fears Iran could retaliate by targeting the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint, where Riyadh has rerouted about seven million barrels per day of oil exports via pipelines to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Iran's Houthi allies in Yemen control territory near the strait and have previously disrupted shipping there during the Gaza conflict. Saudi energy officials have secured commitments from the Houthis to avoid attacks on kingdom ships, but the situation remains fluid.

The White House defended the blockade, with spokeswoman Anna Kelly stating, “President Trump has been clear that he wants the Strait of Hormuz to be fully open to facilitate the free flow of energy.” She added that the administration is in contact with Gulf allies, whom the president is helping by preventing Iran from extorting others.

Shipping data shows mixed compliance on the blockade's first full day. A Chinese tanker carrying methanol from the UAE passed through on Tuesday, followed by two other vessels, while some tankers turned back or anchored nearby. Traffic through Hormuz has been severely reduced since Iran's initial closure, which halted around 13 million barrels a day of exports and drove crude futures above $100 a barrel. Iran exported 1.84 million barrels per day in March, with significant volumes in floating storage.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a vital artery, handling a large share of global oil shipments before the war. Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, seek a negotiated resolution to avoid Iran retaining control while urging the U.S. to resume talks. Iran has threatened regional ports in response, stating no Gulf or Sea of Oman port would be safe if its own are endangered.

The blockade follows a U.S. campaign against the Houthis last year, which ended in a ceasefire after intense clashes involving American carriers and bombers. Analysts warn that escalation could close multiple chokepoints, intensifying the global scramble for crude.