Drone Attack Brings Saudi Oil Pipeline to the Brink of Collapse

Newly released satellite photographs show severe damage to Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline following a drone attack on September 10. The pipeline, which carries crude oil across the Arabian Peninsula to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, has been shut down as a precaution after the extent of the damage became clear.

Satellite images taken before and after the attack reveal charring and structural damage at a pumping station on the pipeline. Oil traders warn that Saudi Arabia could lose access to roughly 4% of global oil supply within days unless the line is brought back into service, with Yanbu's stocks expected to run low in five to seven days.

The drone strike has coincided with rapid gains by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement, which has seized much of the country's Red Sea coastline. The Houthis have also said that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all vessels except those belonging to Saudi Arabia.