Oil prices fall as Saudi supply hopes outweigh fresh Houthi strikes

Oil and natural gas facilities are seen along the Houston Ship Channel as Tropical Storm Edouard makes its way through Greater Houston, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. (Photo by Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)Jason Fochtman | Houston Chronicle | Getty ImagesOil prices fell on Friday as investors weighed fresh strikes between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis against signs that additional Saudi crude could reach global markets and help ease supply concerns.Brent crude futures, the international benchmark, were down 0.94% to $103.83 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures were down 0.88% to $101.01 per barrel.Saudi Arabia and the Houthis exchanged fresh attacks across their border on Thursday, raising concerns that the widening Middle East conflict could further disrupt energy supplies already strained since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in February.Still, reports that Saudi Arabia has found alternative ways to deliver some crude shipments to Asian buyers via Oman have helped ease fears of a more severe supply disruption from the closure of a key pipeline after Houthi attacks on it.The latest decline in crude prices reflects a partial unwinding of t...