Saudi Arabia Shuts Down Key Oil Pipeline After Alleged Drone Attack From Iraq

Saudi authorities said on Friday that drones launched from Iraq led to the temporary closure of a major oil pipeline, according to a report by The Guardian.

The pipeline in question, known as the East-West pipeline, links the Abqaiq facility near the Gulf coast to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea. Saudi officials said the route has become increasingly important since the start of the wider Middle East conflict, as it allows the kingdom to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed by Iran.

According to the report, Riyadh has significantly increased its use of the East-West pipeline in recent months to maintain oil export capacity amid the Hormuz blockade. The strait, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, has remained closed since the onset of the regional war, forcing Gulf exporters to seek alternative routes to reach international markets.

Saudi authorities attributed the drone attack to Iraq, though the report did not specify further details on the identity of the operators or the extent of damage caused to the pipeline. It was not immediately clear how long the closure lasted or what impact it had on the kingdom's oil export volumes.

The incident underscores the vulnerability of alternative energy infrastructure being used to circumvent the Hormuz closure, as regional tensions continue to affect global oil supply routes.