Saudi Arabia East-West Pipeline Shut Down After Drone Strike

Saudi Arabia – (Special Correspondent/Web Desk) – Saudi Arabia East-West pipeline shut down this week after a drone attack hit the line in the Riyadh and Madina regions. The kingdom’s energy ministry closed the route as a safety step while officials look into who was behind the strike.

Both Saudi Arabia and Iraq say the drone came from Iraqi soil. Iran-backed armed groups are known to operate in that area, though no group has openly claimed the attack yet.

The pipeline is a big deal for global oil. It stretches about 745 miles across Saudi land and normally moves 4 to 5 million barrels of oil every day. That is close to 5 percent of the world’s total oil supply.

This route has become even more important lately. Ships have been avoiding the Strait of Hormuz due to ongoing tension between the US and Iran, so Saudi Arabia leaned on this pipeline to keep oil moving safely by land instead of sea.

The timing makes things worse. Houthi fighters in Yemen just took over Perim Island, a key point near the Red Sea entrance. With trouble on both ends of the Arabian Peninsula, oil prices have already climbed back above 100 dollars a barrel.

Iraq responded fast. Its government removed a military commander who was in charge of the border area where the drone likely launched from. Iraq also shut a major crossing point with Iran as a precaution.

Saudi Arabia has chosen not to strike back for now, after Iraq’s prime minister asked for restraint. Still, Saudi officials say they will do whatever is needed to protect their country going forward.

Behind the scenes, Saudi leaders reached out to the US for military support against the Houthis. Washington has agreed to share intelligence and help with targeting, but has not committed to direct military action yet.

With oil supply already strained and prices rising, the world is watching closely to see whether this attack marks the start of a bigger escalation or a moment both sides step back from the edge.