Iraqi drones strike East-West pipeline, raising supply concerns as regional tensions escalate and Houthis tighten Red Sea chokehold.
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A drone attack launched from Iraq set fire to Saudi Arabia's critical East-West oil pipeline on Thursday, prompting swift condemnation from Gulf and Arab states who warned the strike represents a dangerous escalation in regional hostilities. The Gulf Co-operation Council condemned the attack "in the strongest terms" and called for "necessary, decisive measures" to prevent Iraqi territory from being used to launch further attacks.
The East-West pipeline serves as a vital artery for shipping Saudi oil to the Red Sea, providing a route that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic infrastructure allows the kingdom to export crude without traversing the contested Persian Gulf chokepoint. The attack marks the second significant strike on Saudi energy infrastructure in recent months.
The pipeline attack compounds existing threats to regional oil flows. Iran-backed Houthi forces have tightened their grip on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the critical chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. This positioning gives the rebels enhanced capability to target vessels transiting the route essential for Saudi Arabian oil exports.
Analysts warn the dual pressures of disrupted pipeline capacity and Houthi control of the shipping lane could drive oil and fuel prices higher globally. The incident risks further instability in an already tense Middle East, with energy markets watching closely for supply disruptions.
Sources: 1.