Saudi Arabia is making diplomatic efforts through Oman to avoid an escalation of the conflict with the Houthi rebels from the Ansar Allah movement, Bloomberg quoted sources as saying. At the same time Saudi Arabia is preparing for war, if the negotiations collapse. Besides, Bloomberg says, an escalation with the Houthis could draw Riyadh deeper into the conflict with Iran. On July 20, Houthi imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. The next day the Saudi-led coalition began protecting merchant ships in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.