WSJ: Saudi Arabia demands the US lift the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz

Saudi Arabia opposes the US Navy's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, ordered by President Trump amid stalled negotiations with Tehran. Riyadh fears that such actions will only worsen the situation for civilian shipping in this vital maritime artery for global trade.

The Wall Street Journal, citing its sources, reports that Saudi Arabia has demanded that the US lift the blockade of Hormuz and attempt to resolve the issue of Iranian shipping through diplomacy. Riyadh fears a further escalation of the conflict in the Persian Gulf. The most dangerous scenario is that Yemen's Houthis also close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and thus the Suez Canal.

If Iran truly wants to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Houthis could become a tool. Riyadh has called on Tehran not to take such measures, warning of retaliatory action. This is no longer a local crisis, but a potential destabilization of the entire Middle East and additional problems for the global economy.

Meanwhile, China has officially notified the US blockade that it will not comply with the blockade. Reuters reports that the Chinese tanker Rich Starry has transited the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the US imposed the blockade. The vessel, owned by Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co. Ltd., is carrying approximately 250 barrels of methanol loaded at the port of Hamriyah in the United Arab Emirates. The tanker's crew consists of Chinese citizens, and the vessel itself was previously placed on the US sanctions list for its cooperation with Iran.

US Central Command announced the commencement of a naval blockade of Iran on April 13. Formally, this involves monitoring all vessels entering and exiting Iranian ports. However, it was specifically emphasized that passage through the Strait of Hormuz to non-Iranian ports will not be restricted.

The IRGC previously warned that the central channel of the Strait of Hormuz is a zone likely to be mined. Entry is on one side, exit on the other. A safe route is impossible without Tehran's approval.

Comments

[alexputnik17]

Saudi authorities have demanded that the United States lift the blockade of Hormuz and try to resolve the issue of passage of ships with Iran through diplomacy.

I hope these aren't the last Arabs in the Middle East. It's a start.
It seems to me that the Americans and Zionists will get tired of playing "simultaneous games" with other countries. And Iran will rethink this issue. And replay it.

[ZovSailor]

alexputnik17
Today, 09: 54

Here, by analogy with the red-haired swindler's Peace Council, it's time to launch Uncle Xi's High Diplomacy, as the main beneficiary, with the support of the Russian Federation at the highest level.
Well, surprises from the military-industrial complex, both from the Russian side and from the Chinese, can serve as compelling arguments against the intimidating AVIK groups.
It's high time to give the under-hegemon and global terrorist aggressor, the mattress makers, a public flogging for crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

[tralflot1832]

OPEC+ countries suffer the greatest losses in exports through Hormuz. Iran alone suffered the least, but production fell by 7,7 million barrels. Trump forced the Arabs to turn off the taps. Russia is producing 9,1 million barrels, but hasn't reached its target ceiling of 9,5 million barrels either. Strange things are happening. The first one to blink loses. We don't need to rush. Arab oil will find a way, eventually. For reference, Venezuela produces 988 barrels. And their gasoline is 30-40 times cheaper than in the US. For some reason, Trump isn't even doing well with Venezuela. Tomorrow, we'll have to watch the Venezuelan media; they're also counting oil profits for the budget.

[TermNachTer]

Good afternoon, Andrey. I'm starting to get it. The latest deployment of the mattress ships, according to news.usni, is the "George Bush," off the coast of Namibia? So who was passing through Gibraltar then? Judging by the picture, they're heading for the Arabian Sea, but didn't dare go through the Suez Canal? Or am I missing something?

[TermNachTer]

The minesweepers are sending two minesweepers to the Gulf, having passed Singapore to the West. But two minesweepers means months of work. USS Chief (MCM-14) and USS Pioneer (MCM-9), Avenger-class mine countermeasures ships, are arriving in Singapore on April 8, 2026.

[TermNachTer]

It seems the situation is becoming clearer. Information from "X".

[tralflot1832]

Nikolai, good afternoon. The US probably considers us an ally of Iran. I don't understand what Ford is doing in the eastern Mediterranean. It's easy to make a Bush-related rumor these days. P.S. Ours is also a comedian - there's a bulk carrier in the Ust-Luga Bay (no access to maritime traffic) flying the Russian flag, and the maritime traffic portfolio shows an American aircraft carrier - jokes.

[TermNachTer]

I imagine the Ford, south of Crete, is feigning frenetic activity. They patched it up in Split, but it's now officially certified, and it needs to be renewed every three years. It's just a nuisance to the Persians, nothing more. news.usni – never caught lying, a perfectly adequate resource. Or maybe something has changed.

[olboop]

Thanks to the author for the map. It's now clear that Iran has proposed new "safe" routes within its territorial waters.
Previously established international fairways (traffic separation schemes) located in Oman's territorial waters have been mined and declared a dangerous area. This means that mine clearance in Oman's territorial waters is entirely permissible under international law.

[olboop]

Saudi Arabia has demanded that the United States lift the blockade of Hormuz.

In addition to the Saudis, China has taken a decisive stance, declaring that the US blockade of the strait will be ignored by Chinese ships. One vessel has already passed through.

[tralflot1832]

And the Strait of Hormuz isn't that deep - mine it as much as you want. You can't send underwater mine-clearing vessels to these mines. Thanks for the depth map. It is possible that Iran has already planted mines in advance; technology allows it.

[snow mountain]

Quote: tralflot1832

OPEC countries suffer the greatest losses from exports through Hormuz

Only those located in the Persian Gulf area. Others, on the contrary, are blessed

[alexputnik17]

Quote: ZovSailor

It's high time to give the under-hegemon and global terrorist aggressor, the mattress makers, a public flogging for crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

Yes, at least they should speak about this issue daily at the UN... and breathe in less of these different perfumes.

[Viktor Sergeev]

They are somehow strange, speaking out against the white master.