Saudi Arabia halts key oil pipeline after drone strikes from Iraq

Saudi Arabia has suspended operations on a major oil pipeline, attributing the disruption to drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory. The kingdom, which is the world’s largest exporter of crude oil, stated that the East-West pipeline was shut down as a precautionary measure following incidents that caused human injuries and physical damage. This development marks a significant escalation in regional tensions, as the pipeline serves as a critical alternative route for oil exports while the strait of Hormuz remains closed due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

The affected infrastructure is a 745-mile pipeline that traverses the Arabian peninsula, connecting the Abqaiq facility near the Gulf to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Since the commencement of the war between the United States, Israel and Iran, Riyadh has significantly increased its reliance on this route to bypass the blockade of the strait of Hormuz. The Saudi foreign ministry formally condemned the targeting of the pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions, identifying the drones as originating from Iraq. An official from the energy ministry confirmed to the SPA news agency that the suspension was implemented to ensure safety, while satellite imagery from Copernicus Sentinel Data captured on Thursday showed smoke rising near Medina along the pipeline’s general path.

The Iraqi government has faced intensifying pressure to prevent militant groups, including those supported by Iran, from using its soil to launch attacks against Gulf states. Baghdad confirmed on Saturday that the strikes were indeed launched from within Iraq and ordered an immediate investigation. The Iraqi government condemned the actions, describing the targets as its brethren in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In a move to demonstrate accountability, the office of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced the dismissal of the commander responsible for the southern province of Maysan. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, speaking in Dublin during a visit to Ireland, expressed his belief that Tehran was responsible for the aerial attack, stating that he thought they were probably the perpetrators.

The disruption to Saudi oil infrastructure coincides with broader instability in critical shipping lanes. Yemen’s Houthi forces have captured the strategic island of Perim in the Bab al-Mandab strait, expanding their control over this vital waterway that links Europe and Asia. The Houthis, who announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in July, have attacked oil tankers in the Red Sea. Following their takeover of the Yemeni Red Sea coast, they declared that navigation through the strait was safe for all parties except Saudi Arabia. Consequently, oil prices have climbed past $100 a barrel, and average US diesel prices exceeded $6 for the first time, creating economic challenges ahead of the November midterm elections.

International reactions have been swift and condemnatory. Bahrain, Jordan and Qatar all denounced the attack, while the Gulf Cooperation Council described the incident as a dangerous escalation and an unacceptable threat to Saudi security. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated that he had spoken with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, to discuss the situation. He affirmed that the United Kingdom stands firmly with Saudi Arabia and the internationally recognised government of Yemen against these attacks. President Trump maintained that the situation would work out fine when asked about moving traffic through the strait of Hormuz, whereas Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking at a BRICS summit in India, argued that the Middle East did not require the United States to act as a regional policeman.