'Swinging into action:' The Saudi Arabian pipeline designed to bypass Hormuz

Saudi Arabia is ramping up crude oil flows through its East-West pipeline to bypass the Strait of Hormuz amid conflict with Iran. The pipeline, which runs from the Gulf coast to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, was designed in the 1980s for this exact scenario and is now a critical route for Gulf oil exports. This strategic move helps fill Saudi coffers and provides the US with more time to wage its conflict with Iran without completely crippling the global economy. However, the pipeline is not a perfect solution, as its export capacity is limited and its Red Sea terminal is vulnerable to attacks from Houthi rebels in Yemen.