Saudi Arabia faces Iranian proxies alone as US opts out of strikes

Saudi Arabia faces a potential two-front conflict from Iranian-backed militias and Houthi forces, with critical infrastructure attacked and US military support uncertain. Riyadh must restore deterrence while seeking international backing at the UN General Assembly. An Iranian-backed Iraqi militia struck Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline on September 11, while Houthis advanced toward the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The US has proposed F-35 sales, but delivery would take years, leaving Riyadh without immediate military options as allies Pakistan and Turkey remain uninvolved. Saudi Arabia has fought in Yemen since 2015 and faced similar infrastructure attacks in 2019. The Houthis continue fortifying captured positions and threatening Mecca, while Riyadh postponed its Red Sea film festival amid the crisis.