Saudi Arabia Urges U.S. to Lift Iran Blockade

Saudi Arabia is pressing the United States to lift its blockade on Iranian ports, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed “Arab officials”. Riyadh’s concern, per the report, is that the blockade could push Iran to further escalation instead of negotiations, and could result in the closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea. “President Trump has been clear that he wants the Strait of Hormuz to be fully open to facilitate the free flow of energy,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said this week, as…