Did the DF-15 see its first combat use in the Middle East?

Regardless of which version of the truth proves correct, one fact is clear: the missile’s entry into Saudi Arabia was almost certainly not via a standard commercial arms export. The appearance of an indigenous designation on the missile indicates that its transfer path involved some 'non-standard' step—be it inventory handover, third-party retransfer, or another form. The very contradiction—'an export model bearing an indigenous designation'—is itself the most critical point demanding scrutiny. So the real question is: does Saudi Arabia actually possess the DF-15A? That is the subtlest and most pivotal issue here. Saudi Arabia is a long-standing Chinese missile customer: in the 1980s, it purchased the DF-3A, with a range of 3,000 km; later, U.S. congressional records confirmed its acquisition of the DF-21 around 2007. Both are medium-range ballistic missiles forming Riyadh’s strategic deterrent. Yet the DF-15A has never been officially confirmed to appear on Saudi Arabia’s equipment list—no procurement records, no parade displays, no official acknowledgment. In other words, if this wreckage truly came from a Saudi-launched missile, it would mean Riyadh secretly acquired a previously unknown tactical ballistic missile—and used it in combat for the first time, only for it to end up stranded in Yemen’s desert. Regardless of the truth, one fact remains clear: Saudi Arabia has been pushed to the point where it must deploy ballistic missiles—and that act alone is already an unmistakable signal. But what truly unsettles Riyadh is not the Houthis. If Saudi Arabia fires the DF-15A, the Houthis remain unfazed. What keeps Riyadh awake at night is Washington’s stance. On September 10, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called Donald Trump twice: first to brief him on the Yemen situation, then directly requesting U.S. military intervention against the Houthis. Trump rejected both requests outright. Not only did he refuse—he told reporters in Ireland: 'The Houthis have called us. They don’t want to fight us, nor do they wish us to go after them. They’re currently allowing passage for most vessels—there’s just one country they’re not fully satisfied with. We’ll resolve that.' Who that 'one country' is needs no speculation: it’s Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ calculation is precise: concentrate fire on Saudi Arabia while handing Washington a 'no-war pass'—refraining from attacking U.S. ships, permitting commercial vessel passage, and publicly declaring their desire to avoid conflict. Their sole aim is to confine the war strictly within a 'Saudi vs. Houthi' framework—and absolutely prevent U.S. involvement. Trump’s response is equally shrewd: 'You fight your fight, we’ll secure our sea lanes and protect our oil.' Over 100 U.S. military advisors are already in Saudi Arabia providing intelligence support—but U.S. forces themselves will not engage. In Trump’s own words, America must focus on the Strait of Hormuz and 'avoid opening new fronts.' With the U.S. staying out, Saudi Arabia cannot disengage—and the Houthis have no intention of stopping. It should be noted that more sensitive than the missile itself is the pipeline. As the DF-15A wreckage was discovered in the desert, another news item went largely unnoticed: Saudi Arabia’s east-west crude oil pipeline was shut down following a drone attack. This pipeline crosses the entire kingdom and carries 7 million barrels per day. With the Strait of Hormuz blocked by Iran, it serves as Saudi Arabia’s sole alternative route for exporting oil via the Red Sea. Once the pipeline closed, oil prices surged immediately: Brent crude jumped to USD 107.99 per barrel—a single-day rise exceeding 3%. Foreign media reported that the Saudi pipeline disruption could cut global oil supply by up to 4%; if damage proves severe, oil prices could spike to USD 120 per barrel.

## Latest Developments in the Iran Situation (Day 201)

- **00:01**: Today marks Day 201 of the U.S.-Iran war. - **00:15**: According to Janiv Shah, Vice President of Oil Markets at research firm Rystad Energy, persistent disruptions to Saudi Arabia’s oil pipeline could trigger double-digit oil price increases. - **00:23**: The U.S. Secretary of Energy stated that oil transportation through Saudi Arabia’s east-west pipeline would resume 'within days.' - **00:30**: Refining bottlenecks and Russian drone strikes have tightened global diesel supply. (Reporting and analysis by journalists, scholars, or experts) - **00:45**: The UK Foreign Office expressed solidarity with the governments of Saudi Arabia and Yemen. - **00:50**: The Houthi Ministry of Education accused Saudi Arabia of 'targeting schools in Taiz.' - **00:55**: According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, Israeli forces bombed Mansouri and shelled southern Lebanese town of Hadatha. - **01:10**: The U.S. Secretary of Energy stated that the military is assisting in rerouting Saudi oil shipments to the Strait of Hormuz. - **01:15**: Lebanese President Michel Aoun appealed to Europe for assistance in funding reconstruction efforts. - **01:30**: A reporter’s dispatch from Sana’a, Yemen: hundreds of Yemeni government troops were killed, wounded, or captured in Al-Jawf Governorate. - **01:45**: Iran’s Foreign Minister claimed that damage inflicted on U.S. bases represents only 'the tip of the iceberg.' - **01:55**: The Houthis claimed Saudi Arabia carried out 52 airstrikes in the past 24 hours, targeting 'civilian infrastructure.' - **02:00**: The Israeli military announced the killing of a senior commander of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in Gaza. - **02:15**: The U.S. Embassy in Beirut affirmed America’s commitment to supporting Lebanon’s national institutions. - **02:30**: Iran’s nuclear agency defended its underground facilities, citing security threats. - **02:45**: The U.S. State Department reported that Senator Marco Rubio discussed Iranian attacks and shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz with Oman’s Foreign Minister. - **03:00**: Yemen’s Prime Minister stated that the Houthis’ escalation now poses a 'comprehensive threat' to regional security. - **03:30**: The EU’s foreign policy chief described the Houthi and Saudi attacks in Yemen as 'expected.' - **03:34**: The Israeli military said it killed a senior Hamas member in southern Gaza. - **03:41**: Saudi Civil Defense activated early-warning systems in Jazan, Abha, and Khamis Mushait. - **03:45**: The U.S. Congressional Budget Office projected that the Iran war would raise U.S. inflation by 0.5 percentage points in the first quarter of 2027. - **04:00**: EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed that discussions on imposing further sanctions on Israeli settlers remain ongoing. - **04:09**: According to an Al Jazeera reporter, an Israeli airstrike on a tent camp in southern Gaza killed two people. - **04:15**: Republican members of Congress introduced impeachment articles against Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem over Iran, Yemen, and maritime attack incidents. (Reporting and analysis by journalists, scholars, or experts)

U.S. Energy Chief Says Saudi Arabia Oil Pipeline Should Be Back Online Within Days

6 days ago

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright estimates Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline will resume crude oil flows within days after attacks by Iran-aligned groups. The pipeline moves 4-5% of global supply, serving as a critical alternative while the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted.

reuters

2026-09-15

U.S. Energy Chief Says Saudi Arabia Oil Pipeline Should Be Back Online Within Days

U.S. Energy Chief Says Saudi Arabia Oil Pipeline Should Be Back Online Within Days

FAQ