Saudi Arabia has confirmed what satellite imagery only hinted at last week. The kingdom’s Energy Ministry said on Friday that Iraq-launched drones hit the East-West pipeline on Thursday in the Riyadh and Medina regions — and that Riyadh has shut down the line, its main route for bypassing the blocked Strait of Hormuz, as a precaution.
Saudi officials said their teams were “taking the necessary measures to secure the pipeline and assess its safety,” but haven’t disclosed how much damage the drones caused or given any timeline for reopening the line. Aramco, which operates the pipeline, has stayed silent on the matter.
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Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s office said investigators traced the drones to Iraq’s Maysan province, near the Iran border. Baghdad dismissed a military commander over the incident, and Saudi Arabia has held off on retaliating at Iraq’s request, though Riyadh reserves the right to respond later. The kingdom has also asked Washington for direct military help against the Houthis; Washington has so far turned down that request, offering intelligence-sharing instead.
The pipeline was Saudi Arabia’s primary alternative to Hormuz. Its other option is in jeopardy too — Houthi forces seized Mayyun Island this month, completing their control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the route Saudi Arabia has increasingly relied on to keep exporting oil.
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The Strait of Hormuz saw fresh violence too — a tanker caught fire there Sunday, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations Center. Iranian authorities said the attack killed one crew member and injured three others.
Crude prices climbed through the weekend on the combined news — WTI up 2.8% to $102.87 a barrel Sunday evening, Brent above $107 by Monday. Oman postponed a planned meeting between Iran and Gulf states meant to discuss reopening Hormuz to regular shipping, with Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi citing “the interests of consensus.”
