RIYADH (Dispatches) -- Saudi Arabia’s oil output has fallen to its lowest level in decades amid the fallout from the war the United States has imposed on Iran, with disruptions to key shipping routes and attacks on energy infrastructure sharply reducing the kingdom’s ability to maintain production and exports.
Data released this week showed Saudi crude production plunging in August to 6.24 million barrels per day, according to figures Riyadh reported directly to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). 
The figure represents a decline of about 1.9 million barrels per day from July and the kingdom’s lowest reported production level since 1990.
Saudi production had stood at about 7.1 million barrels per day in June before rising sharply in July, but the rebound was reversed in August despite plans by Saudi Arabia and other OPEC+ producers to increase output.
Saudi Arabia reported supplying 7.12 million barrels per day to the market in August, significantly above its reported production figure.
The International Energy Agency, however, estimated Saudi oil supply at about 6 million barrels per day, describing it as the lowest level in more than three decades. The IEA also cut its 2026 forecast for Saudi crude supply by 885,000 barrels per day to 7.6 million barrels per day.
The decline has been linked to growing disruption along the kingdom’s main export routes. Attacks associated with Yemen’s forces have targeted shipping near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Jazan refinery and vessels near Yanbu. 
Saudi crude and condensate loadings from Yanbu fell sharply in August, with Vortexa estimating 3.2 million barrels per day and Kpler putting the figure at around 1.5 million barrels per day.
The Strait of Hormuz has also become a major pressure point in the U.S. war on Iran. Vessel traffic through the waterway fell to just seven transits on Wednesday, well below its 10-day average of 14, according to preliminary tracking data. No LNG tankers crossed the strait that day.
Saudi Arabia has sought to use its East-West pipeline and Yanbu as an alternative route to bypass Hormuz, but attacks around the Red Sea have limited that option. Yanbu loadings have begun recovering in September, reaching 3.7 million barrels per day according to Vortexa, although flows remain vulnerable to further disruption.
The tightening of global crude supplies has pushed oil prices sharply higher. Brent crude rose above $100 per barrel this week, while prices remained on track for an increase of more than 8% for the week.
The disruption has also exposed the limits of alternative export routes as the war continues to place pressure on the Persian Gulf and Red Sea energy corridors.