Drone Strikes Shut Major Saudi Oil Pipeline
Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut its major East-West pipeline following multiple drone strikes launched from Iraq. The attack, which caused injuries and damage, occurred on the pipeline in the Riyadh and Madinah regions, according to the Saudi foreign ministry.
The pipeline is capable of moving 7 million barrels of crude a day across the kingdom to the Red Sea, making it a crucial workaround for getting oil out of the Gulf. The Wall Street Journal reports that the pipeline has been the main route for Saudi oil exports since the Strait of Hormuz was constrained by conflict with Iran.
A US official told CNN that preliminary analysis showed pump stations were struck in the attack, and satellite data indicated possible fires along the route near Medina.