Saudi Arabia Shuts Key Oil Pipeline After Iraqi Drone Attack

Saudi Arabia has shut down its East-West oil pipeline after it was targeted by several drones launched from Iraqi territory, in another escalation of tensions affecting the region’s energy infrastructure.

The Saudi Ministry of Energy said the pipeline was closed as a precaution after attacks on Thursday caused injuries and material damage in the Riyadh and Madinah regions.

The approximately 1,200-kilometre pipeline, also known as the Petroline, transports crude oil from Saudi Arabia’s oil-producing areas in the east to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.

The route has become particularly important because it provides Saudi Arabia with an alternative export route that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, where tanker traffic has been severely disrupted by the ongoing regional conflict.

The pipeline has reportedly been carrying between four million and five million barrels of crude per day, representing roughly four to five per cent of global oil supply.

Saudi Arabia said it would not immediately retaliate against the attack, giving Iraq an opportunity to investigate and take action against those responsible.

Iraqi authorities have confirmed that the drones were launched from Iraqi territory and have opened an investigation into the incident.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered an investigation into military operations in Maysan province, which borders Iran, and dismissed the province’s military commander. The provincial police chief was also subsequently dismissed.

The attack has increased pressure on Baghdad to prevent Iran-aligned armed groups operating inside Iraq from using the country as a base for attacks against neighbouring states.

The development comes as Saudi Arabia faces additional pressure on its oil export routes following heightened activity by Iran-backed Houthi forces around the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The pipeline shutdown has raised fresh concerns about global oil supplies because Saudi Arabia has increasingly relied on the route to maintain crude exports amid disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude had already climbed above $100 a barrel, reflecting growing concerns over supply disruptions and escalating geopolitical risks.

Saudi authorities have yet to announce when the East-West pipeline will resume full operations, saying specialised technical teams are assessing the damage and safety of the infrastructure.

The incident has further complicated efforts to stabilise regional energy markets as attacks increasingly threaten multiple routes used to transport Middle Eastern oil to global consumers.