Saudi Arabia has shut down its vital East-West oil pipeline after a drone strike originating from Iraq damaged the facility.
The 1,200km pipeline, which carries up to 5% of global oil supply and allows Riyadh to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, was hit near its central section, leaving scorched ground and smoke visible in satellite images.
Drone Strike
Iraq admitted the drones were launched from one of its provinces bordering Iran, dismissed a military commander, and opened an investigation.
The attack comes as Iranian-backed Houthi rebels advance in Yemen, further straining global shipping routes amid the ongoing US-Iran war. Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry confirmed injuries and damage but said it would not retaliate for now, following a call from Iraq’s prime minister.
The closure highlights the vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure in the Middle East and raises concerns about oil market stability.
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