Saudi Arabia has activated its long-standing contingency plan after the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted by escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The kingdom is rerouting crude oil through its 1,200-kilometre East-West pipeline, which runs from eastern oil fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Originally built in the 1980s during the Iran-Iraq war, the pipeline was designed to reduce reliance on Gulf shipping lanes and has now become the backbone of Saudi oil exports.

Exports from Yanbu have surged, reaching a five-day average of 3.66 million barrels per day, roughly half of pre-conflict levels. Dozens of supertankers are converging on the port as state-owned Saudi Aramco accelerates shipments and coordinates with global buyers. Despite higher shipping costs, the alternative route has helped stabilize markets by ensuring that a significant share of Saudi crude continues to reach international customers.

However, the Red Sea route carries its own risks. Yanbu and related infrastructure have already faced attacks, and tankers must transit another strategic chokepoint that has seen militant activity in recent years. With global oil prices climbing sharply and regional energy facilities under threat, the crisis is prompting Middle Eastern producers to reassess export routes and infrastructure resilience for the long term.