New attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and infrastructure in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, have led to increased concerns regarding the stability of global energy supplies. The British maritime security agency UKMTO reported that a projectile struck a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in a fire and the evacuation of the crew. Simultaneously, Iran reported that one person was killed and four crew members wounded on an Iranian commercial vessel struck off its coast.
These incidents follow drone strikes on Friday, Sept. 11, that disabled a 1,200-kilometer (745-mile) Saudi East-West oil pipeline, a primary route for bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. In Yemen, Houthi forces captured Perim Island in the Bab El-Mandeb strait on the same day. Saudi state media also released footage Sunday showing damage to homes and a mosque in Jazan province from cross-border Houthi attacks, while the Houthis claimed to have struck a military base in a neighboring province.
In the United States, the retail price of diesel fuel rose Sunday to an all-time high above $6.20 a gallon. Oil traders and Saudi buyers indicated that the port of Yanbu holds enough stored oil to maintain exports for five to seven days if the East-West pipeline remains closed. Saudi officials have not yet confirmed the total extent of the damage or a specific timeline for repairs, though satellite imagery showed significant smoke at various points along the line.
The disruption affects global energy markets, particularly in the United States where diesel prices have hit a record. If the Saudi East-West pipeline remains offline for more than a week, up to 4% of the global oil supply could be jeopardized. This loss would be in addition to the millions of barrels already disrupted by restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
The escalation involves several regional and international actors. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly requested U.S. military aid on Thursday, Sept. 10, to counter Houthi advances, but President Donald Trump has so far only offered intelligence support. Iran has stated it intends to seek transit fees from ships in the Strait of Hormuz and maintains that the waterway will not fully reopen until its demands are met by the U.S. government.
Iranian officials are scheduled to meet with Gulf Arab states in Oman on Monday, Sept. 14, to discuss shipping routes, though Bahrain has already refused to meet with Iranian representatives. Oil markets are expected to see continued price volatility when they reopen on Monday.