Saudi Pipeline Shutdown Threatens Global Oil Supplies Amid Yemen Conflict
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy announced on September 11, 2026 that it had shut down its major cross-country oil pipeline after an attack the day before. The ministry stated that the shutdown was a precautionary measure.
The East-West pipeline, built in the 1980s, has played a crucial role in Saudi Arabia's ability to continue exporting oil despite disruptions in other key shipping lanes.
The move comes as Houthi rebels in Yemen have seized coastal territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, threatening Saudi oil exports through this key shipping lane.