Saudi Arabia's Oil Empire | The Untold Story Behind the Hormuz Crisis

Saudi Arabia was built by oil. But the Iran war, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure threaten the foundations of the Kingdom’s transformation. But how did Saudi get here? In 1938, American geologists struck crude beneath the desert at Dammam No. 7. That discovery would transform Saudi Arabia, give rise to Saudi Aramco, forge a powerful alliance with the United States and turn the Kingdom into one of the most important players in the global oil industry. Over the decades, Saudi oil wealth reshaped the country and gave it enormous influence through OPEC, especially during the 1973 oil crisis. But the Iranian Revolution, 9/11 and growing tensions across the Persian Gulf also revealed how much of Saudi Arabia’s power depended on a fragile regional order. Today, Mohammed bin Salman, or MBS, is trying to build a different future through Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia is opening up, investing in tourism, megaprojects, sport and entertainment, and attempting to reduce its dependence on oil. But the transformation itself is still being financed by oil revenue. But the US war with Iran has disrupted the Strait of Hormuz. Houthi forces threaten shipping in the Red Sea. Saudi energy infrastructure has come under attack. And the old US-Saudi security relationship is being tested at the same time. This documentary traces how Saudi Arabia became an oil superpower, how that wealth transformed the Kingdom, and why the very system that made modern Saudi Arabia possible may now be its greatest vulnerability. Featuring archive footage, interviews and material I filmed while travelling across Saudi Arabia in 2023. Support my independent documentaries on Patreon: Patreon: TieranFreedman #SaudiArabia #Iran #Oil #StraitOfHormuz #hormuz 0:00 Saudi Arabia’s Oil Empire & the Strait of Hormuz 1:35 The Discovery of Oil at Dammam No. 7 03:10 The First Foreign Oil Workers Arrive in Saudi Arabia 4:49 Saudi Arabia Before Oil 7:47 The Birth of the US-Saudi Alliance 11:43 OPEC and the 1973 Oil Crisis 15:00 How the Strait of Hormuz Became Saudi Arabia’s Lifeline 15:57 Saudi Aramco is Formed 17:15 The Iranian Islamic Revolution & Saudi Arabia’s 1979 Crisis 24:05 9/11 and Saudi Arabia’s Reputation 25:47 Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) & Vision 2030 29:16 How Saudi Arabia Is Changing 35:25 Saudi Arabia vs Iran 37:06 Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters 38:40 The US-Iran War & the Killing of Khamenei 43:54 Iran Closes the Strait of Hormuz 46:13 Saudi Arabia’s Oil Backup Plan 47:09 The Houthis, Red Sea & Bab el-Mandeb 48:27 Attacks on Saudi Oil Infrastructure 50:55 What Happens to Saudi Arabia Now? 52:15 Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear Future, New Alliances, & Iran Reshaping the Global Order