Houthi threat to Saudi maritime routes raises risk of oil price surge

Houthi militants have threatened a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, potentially compounding existing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This escalation threatens to restrict Asian access to Middle Eastern crude, creating a risk of oil prices exceeding US$100 per barrel. The feasibility of a sustained blockade remains uncertain given current regional naval presence.