In brief
Saudi Arabia closed its 1,200‑km East‑West oil pipeline after a drone attack launched from Iraq, the kingdom said. The strike, spotted by satellite and linked to Iraq’s Maysan province, caused damage and injuries, prompting the temporary shutdown. The pipeline, critical to the kingdom’s exports, normally bypasses the Strait of Hormuz and carries about 4‑5 % of global oil supply. The incident follows a surge in Houthi activity on Yemen’s coast, raising fears that the wider Iran‑supported proxy conflict could further disrupt shipping lanes and push oil prices higher.
Saudi Arabia closed the 1,200‑km East‑West oil pipeline after it was struck by drones launched from Iraq, the kingdom said on Friday. Satellite imagery shows scorched ground near the pipeline site and an alarm flare in the air.
The attack, which Iraqi officials traced to the Maysan province bordering Iran, caused injuries and damage that were still being assessed. The pipeline normally carries a small but significant portion of global oil supply, around 4‑5 % of the world’s crude, and bypasses the Strait of Hormuz.
The incident comes amid a rapid Houthi advance in Yemen, where the Iranian‑backed rebels have seized much of the coastline, threatening the Bab al‑Mandab Strait and the Red Sea shipping lanes.
Riyadh said it was shutting the pipeline as a precaution and would support Iraqi efforts to prevent further attacks launched from its territory. The kingdom added it reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, facilities and residents.
In a related statement, Gulf Cooperation Council members condemned the strike, calling it a dangerous escalation and a breaching of international law.
The broader regional tension, with U.S.–Iran standoffs now in their seventh month, could further squeeze global markets, already sensitive to disruptions in Gulf shipping routes.
