Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline Shut Down After Drone Attack

Saudi Arabia has shut down its major East-West oil pipeline after it was attacked by drones. The attack occurred in the Riyadh and Madinah regions, leaving several people injured and causing damage that is still being assessed.

The Saudi Energy Ministry said the pipeline had been shut down as 'a precautionary measure' after multiple attacks. The strikes were carried out by several drones coming from Iraq, where Iranian-backed militias operate.

The East-West pipeline has become increasingly important during the Iran war because it allows Saudi Arabia to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, where tanker traffic has been severely disrupted. It runs from Saudi Arabia's oil-producing east to Yanbu on the Red Sea coast, providing an alternative route for crude exports.

The pipeline carries around 4% to 5% of global supply, equivalent to 4-5 million barrels of oil per day. By early June, Saudi Arabia had more than doubled oil exports from Yanbu to over 5 million barrels per day.