Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are aggressively pursuing larger oil reserves in Japan and South Korea as escalating regional conflict threatens critical supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

The move reflects deepening anxiety among Gulf producers about the vulnerability of maritime chokepoints. With Iran-backed militias increasing attacks on shipping, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are prioritizing strategic stockpiling in Northeast Asian markets that represent their largest customer base.

Energy officials familiar with the negotiations say both kingdoms are pressing for expanded storage capacity at Japanese and South Korean terminals. The discussions involve state-owned giants Saudi Aramco and ADNOC, which aim to pre-position crude closer to key buyers while reducing exposure to potential blockade scenarios.

Analysts view the push as a structural shift in Gulf energy strategy, moving beyond simple production management toward physical supply chain resilience. The initiative underscores how geopolitical risk is reshaping global oil logistics.