Saudi Arabia threatens to ditch dollar oil
In a Persian‑language interview conducted from Washington, security‑energy analyst Omid Shokri discusses the likelihood and implications of Saudi Arabia abandoning the U.S. dollar for its oil sales. Shokri argues that, despite recent U.S. pressure and sanctions aimed at curbing Saudi support for American policies, the strong bilateral relationship makes a rapid de‑dollarisation unlikely. He explains that the U.S. seeks to block Saudi backing for sanctions on Iran and to influence OPEC decisions, but Saudi Arabia’s economic interests and the entrenched role of the dollar in global energy markets limit any immediate shift. Shokri also notes the United States’ own high oil production (about 12‑13 million barrels per day, potentially rising to 20 million) and how this production capacity, together with OPEC’s internal dynamics, shapes the global energy landscape. He concludes that while U.S. pressure may create some market friction, a full move away from the dollar by Saudi Arabia is not imminent, and the broader impact on global oil pricing and OPEC cohesion would be limited.
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