Riyadh confirms drones launched from Iraq struck the critical pipeline, escalating tensions in a region already strained by the Gaza war.
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Saudi Arabia has shut down its East-West oil pipeline after a drone attack that the kingdom says originated from Iraq. The attack marks another escalation in regional hostilities linked to the Israel-Gaza war, with Houthi forces from Yemen intensifying pressure on Red Sea shipping lanes.
Saudi authorities confirmed the pipeline was damaged by unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Iraqi territory. The East-West pipeline serves as a critical conduit for transporting crude oil between the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
The incident comes as Houthi forces have increasingly targeted maritime traffic in the Red Sea, asserting their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The group has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks on commercial vessels, prompting rerouting of shipping and raising insurance costs across the region.
Iraq's government has not yet responded to the Saudi allegations. The attack adds to growing concerns about spillover effects from the Gaza conflict into broader Middle Eastern stability, with energy infrastructure becoming an increasingly frequent target.
Sources: 1. Al Jazeera: Satellite image shows critical Saudi pipeline damaged in drone attack — https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/9/12/saudi-arabia-east-west-oil-pipeline-drone-attack-iraq?traffic_source=rss (src1) 2.