Saudi Pipeline Shut Down Amid Wider Middle East Conflict

The Saudi East-West pipeline has been temporarily shut down after it was hit by a drone attack in the widening Middle East conflict.

The pipeline, which runs 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) across the Arabian Peninsula, had been carrying 4-5 million barrels per day, accounting for 4-5% of global supply. The Saudi energy ministry announced the shutdown as a precautionary measure.

The attack comes as Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen tightened their grip on the Red Sea shipping lanes, further straining global oil supplies and pushing prices above $100 per barrel.