Saudi Oil Pipeline Possibly Attacked Amid Regional Tensions
A significant oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia may have been attacked, according to satellite images and thermal anomaly data. The East-West Pipeline, which bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, showed a powerful smoke plume stretching over 100 km and prolonged thermal anomalies southeast of Medina. NASA fire data recorded thermal signals with a power of more than 70 MW at several points along the pipeline corridor.
Some analysts suggest that between six and eight sections of the pipeline may have been hit, leading to its depressurization or rupture. This is not confirmed by Saudi Aramco or international news agencies yet. The pipeline's capacity is about 7 million barrels of oil per day, with approximately 5 million barrels sent daily to the port of Yanbu.
April saw a similar attack on the pipeline, which led to a suspension of oil transportation for four days after an Iranian drone strike. If confirmed, this new incident could have serious consequences, as it would put pressure on Saudi Arabia's two main export directions.