Saudi Arabia Shuts Key Oil Pipeline After Drone Attack From Iraq

Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut its critical East-West oil pipeline after it was attacked by drones launched from Iraq, as the conflict in the Middle East continues to widen, BBC News reported.

The East-West Pipeline provides an alternative route for Saudi crude exports when the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted. [Photo: Saudi Aramco]

The 1,200-kilometer (745-mile) pipeline transports crude from Saudi Arabia’s oil-producing areas in the east to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, allowing the kingdom to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

It has been carrying an estimated 4 million to 5 million barrels of oil per day during the prolonged disruption of traffic through the strait.

Iraq said the attacks originated from its territory and ordered an investigation.

Iraqi authorities subsequently dismissed the military commander responsible for operations in Maysan province, where the attacks were determined to have originated.

Saudi Arabia said the attacks caused injuries and material damage and that the pipeline was shut as a precaution while its safety was assessed.

Riyadh also said it would refrain from retaliating for the time being at the request of Iraq’s prime minister, giving Baghdad an opportunity to prevent further attacks launched from Iraqi territory.

The attack came as Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen expanded their presence around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another important route for global oil and commercial shipping.

The Houthis recently captured the strategically located island of Perim, also known as Mayyun, according to reports cited by ABC News.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran was probably responsible for the attack on the Saudi pipeline, but no group has publicly claimed responsibility for the strike. Saudi Arabia has specifically said the drones originated from Iraq.