Situation with Iran: The growing significance of Saudi Arabia

Recent developments in the situation with Iran have increasingly involved Saudi Arabia. Biblically, it is understood that the stage is being set for the Ezekiel 38-39 Gog and Magog scenario. There in Ezekiel 38:13 is a reference to Sheba and Dedan, which corresponds to modern day Saudi Arabia.  Here is discussed recent developments and then the basis for that conclusion on Sheba and Dedan.

Incidents with A.I.

Actors in northern Yemen, likely Houthis, illegally used A.I. by Anthropic for the purpose of developing software programs for guidance, navigation, and control of advanced ballistic missiles, which normally would require a team of software engineers [1]. This is yet another incident with A.I. in the situation with Iran, in addition to the friendly fire incident in Kuwait. What’s ironic here is that the Houthis are in open conflict with Saudi Arabia, and the Saudis are one of the biggest proponents of artificial intelligence. Leadership of Saudi Arabia has sought to diversify sources of wealth, investing heavily in A.I. Additionally, Iran has also used A.I. by Anthropic for acquiring intel on U.S. Navy assets in the region [2].

Attacks from Iraqi Territory

Damages along the Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline caused by several drones from Iraq have resulted in shutting down the major oil pipeline [3]. It is said that the pipeline could be down three to five weeks for repairs [4]. Subsequently, oil loadings have been suspended at the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia’s alternative to the Strait of Hormuz route for exporting oil [5]. Also recently, the tanker New Andros was attacked in the territorial waters of Iraq [6]. These attacks likely were from Iran-backed militant groups in Iraq. The prime minister of Iraq, who assumed office in May, as pressured by the U.S. set a deadline for the disarmament of non-state militias in Iraq to September 30th, coinciding with the withdrawal of remaining U.S. forces from Iraq [7]. This was thought by the Iraqi government to be a reasonable trade-off, however at least two of the militant groups are resisting, issuing threats and launching attacks [7]. 

Houthi-Saudi Conflict

There are reports that Israel has been sharing intelligence with Saudi Arabia on the Houthis [8], who have been attacking the Saudis and fighting Saudi-backed forces in Yemen. It has been reported that Saudi Arabia is considering integration of Israeli defense systems such as Arrow [9]. The Houthis were accused on September 16th of launching a drone at Mecca, the holy city of Islam [10]. The Houthis claimed of the incident to be targeting the King Fahd air base in the city of Taif [11]. The accusation was made by Saudi Arabia and Saudi-backed forces in Yemen, and may have been intended to incite fervor among their fighters in combat against the Houthis. On September 16th the Houthis also claimed to have launched attacks with ballistic missiles and drones on oil infrastructure in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia [12]. Also on September 16th, the Houthis claimed to have launched ballistic missiles at the King Khalid air base, from which Saudi Arabia has launched fighter jet sorties for airstrikes on the Houthis [12].

Disruptions to Shipping

The M/T El Gaia was struck, likely on September 12th, off the Musandam Peninsula and later was being towed to an Omani port [13]. On September 18th, the IRGC claimed to strike the M/T Trend in the Strait of Hormuz, coinciding with a report from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) [14]. According to the UKMTO, ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains down about 90% from pre-conflict levels, and ship traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is down 25% from July 22 when the Houthis announced their blockade on Saudi Arabia [15]. The UKMTO objectively provides maritime information and situational awareness based on reporting in combination with Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, geospatial analysis, partner organizations like the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), and other means of validation [15].

Pending Sale of F-35’s

On September 17th, the U.S. Department of State approved the sale of forty-eight F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia for estimated $24.3 billion [16]. Business in the defense industry is a major economic factor. The U.S. has made multi-billion-dollar deals with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE for U.S.-made military equipment. The F-35 is considered the most advanced fighter jet in the world [17]. The prospective sale is controversial, with concerns of diminishing Israel’s qualitative military edge and exposing sensitive technology to other actors [18]. If the deal is signed, it would be five years until Saudi Arabia receives its first F-35 [19].

Sheba and Dedan

In the Gag and Magog scenario of Ezekiel 38-39, which is forthcoming, “Sheba and Dedan” voice opposition to the coalition of forces mobilizing to attack Israel. In Isaiah 21:13, Dedan is mentioned as being in Arabia, specifically “the thicket of Arabia”. This phrase is a paradox because the Arabian Peninsula is generally stereotyped as vast barren desert. However, there are forested areas, such as Raghadan Forest, in the southwestern Arabian Peninsula. Interestingly, this is the native range of the Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus), which is arboreal.  Geographically and climatically, these are escarpments in the Asir Mountains parallel to the Red Sea where there is a sharp change in elevation, resulting in humid conditions and seasonally high rainfall. Based on Genesis 10, Sheba and Dedan are sympatric, indicating closeness genealogically and geographically. Undoubtedly, Sheba and Dedan correspond to modern day Saudi Arabia.

[1] Agencies.  2026, September 11.  Anthropic says it foiled apparent Houthi effort to use its AI chatbot to develop guided missiles.  The Times of Israel.

[2] Roitman, A.  2026, September 11.  Iran used AI to develop military, propaganda strategies, Anthropic report reviews.  The Jerusalem Post.

[3] Agencies.  2026, September 12.  Saudi Arabia shutters major oil pipeline struck by drones from Iraq.  The Times of Israel.

[4] AP.  2026, September 14.  Live Update: Saudi oil pipeline hit in strikes will be mostly out of service for several weeks.  The Times of Israel.

[5] Reuters.  2026, September 15.  Live Update: Oil loadings suspended at Saudi’s Red Sea port of Yanbu, shipping sources say.  The Times of Israel.

[6] Reuters.  2026, September 9.  Live Update: Panama-flagged tanker struck by drone in Iraqi waters, port officials say.  The Times of Israel.

[7] Schneider, Y.  2026, September 02.  The Plan to Disarm Iraq’s Militias: Internal Division and Iran’s Efforts to Block It, Insight No. 2193.  The Institute for National Security Studies.

[7] AFP.  2026, September 15.  Live Update: Oman says it’s searching for two crew members after tanker hit.  The Times of Israel.

[8] Berman, L. and E. Fabian. 2026, September 15.  Live Update: Reports: US mediating Israel-Saudi contacts over intel on Houthis; IDF said to advise staying out of fighting.  The Times of Israel.

[9] Bohbot, A. 2026, September 16.  Protecting Against the Iranian Threat: Israel’s Channel of Contacts with Saudi Arabia.  Walla.

[10] Agencies and TOI Staff.  2026, September 16.  ‘Red line’: Houthis accused of targeting Mecca for first time in current flare-up.  The Times of Israel.

[11] Sutherland, C.  2026, September 16.  Saudi Arabia Calls Mecca a ‘Red Line’ After Alleged Houthi Drone Attack.  

[12] Doran, W., N. Morrison, A. Fattah, K. Wells, B. Schmida, R. Reddy, and A. Ganzeveld. Iran Update, September 16, 2026.  Institute for the Study of War.

[13] AFP.  2026, September 15.  Live Update: Oman says it’s searching for two crew members after tanker hit.  The Times of Israel.

[14] Hilotin, J.  2026, September 18.  US-Iran conflict: What UAE residents need to know today, Sept. 18.  Gulf News.

[15] 2026, September 11.  UKMTO Voluntary Reporting Area Overview, Report No. 6.  UK Maritime Trade Operations.

[16] 2026, September 17.  Foreign Military Sales: Congressional Notification, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft, Transmittal #26-69.   Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State.

[17] TOI Staff.  2026, September 17.  US intelligence repeats warning F-35 sale to Saudis could expose tech to China – report.  The Times of Israel.

[18] Kasapoglu, C.  2005, November.  The Saudi F-35 Gambit: A High-End Arms Sale Meets Middle Eastern Geopolitics.  Hudson Institute.

[19] Bohbot, A. 2026, September 189.  After the sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia: Israel will demand compensation from the United States – munitions that have not yet been sold to Israel. Walla.