Saudi Oil Pipeline Damaged in Drone Attack, Transport Capacity Reduced

Saudi Arabia's east-west oil pipeline, which has been exporting crude oil by bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, was damaged in a drone attack launched from Iraq. The pipeline, stretching over 1,207 kilometers through Saudi Arabia to the port of Janbu on the Red Sea, can transport up to 7 million barrels of crude oil per day.

The attack, which occurred on the night of the 10th, targeted several pumping stations and damaged one pumping station. This is not the first time the pipeline has been affected by the war in Iran, with a similar incident occurring earlier this year that reduced the pipeline's transport capacity by about 700,000 barrels per day.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that Saudi oil production fell to 6 million barrels last month, the lowest level in more than 30 years. According to Saudi and Yemeni officials, Houthi rebels have seized control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key bottleneck for Saudi oil exports.

The attack comes as Iraqi authorities struggle to control militias that have repeatedly attacked Saudi infrastructure, backed by Iran. The Iraqi government has ordered an investigation into the attack and vowed to take legal action against those involved.