- Widening geographical threat
- Major blow to crude exports
- Houthis tighten grip on Red Sea
Saudi Arabia has shut its East-West oil pipeline after it was targeted by drones launched from Iraq.
The closure deals a major blow to the kingdom’s ability to export crude as conflict threatens both of its main sea routes: the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
The Energy Ministry said the pipeline was targeted in the Riyadh and Medina regions on Thursday morning, resulting in “a number of injuries”.
The 1,200km link allows Saudi Arabia to bypass Hormuz by carrying crude from its eastern oilfields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
Saudi officials said the drones used in the attacks were launched from Iraqi territory. They did not identify who was responsible.
In a statement condemning the attack, the country’s foreign ministry said it would not retaliate “at this stage” after Iraq’s prime minister asked for time to prevent further missiles being launched from its territory. The Iraqi government distanced itself from the strikes.
The disclosure underlines the widening geographical threat facing Saudi Arabia, with oil infrastructure struck hundreds of kilometres north of the Yemeni border as th...