Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut down its East-West oil pipeline following an aerial attack that has escalated tensions in the Middle East and threatened to tighten global energy supplies. The shutdown was announced by the Saudi Energy Ministry as a precautionary measure after a drone strike targeted the 1,200-kilometer pipeline crossing the Arabian Peninsula. Both Saudi Arabia and Iraq attributed the assault to forces based in Iraq, where Iranian-backed militias are active.
The pipeline, which normally transports between four and five million barrels of crude oil per day—representing approximately 4% to 5% of the world’s oil supply—plays a strategic role by enabling Saudi Arabia to bypass tanker traffic congested around the Strait of Hormuz. The strait has seen a significant slowdown in shipping due to the ongoing six-month conflict between the United States and Iran.
Satellite imagery revealed black smoke near a section of the oil infrastructure south of Medina, though no party has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. In response, Iraq dismissed a military commander responsible for operations in Maysan province, citing the incident in an official statement.
Concurrently, the Houthi rebel movement, aligned with Iran, has expanded its control over strategic locations in Yemen’s Red Sea region. Four Yemeni government sources reported that the Houthis seized the island of Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb strait on Friday, a critical maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. This development, combined with disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz, has fueled fears of an energy supply squeeze and driven global oil prices above $100 per barrel.
Saudi authorities have formally requested military assistance from the United States to counter Houthi advances. Sources indicate that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump multiple times to seek support. While Washington has declined direct military intervention, it has offered intelligence sharing and targeting assistance. A White House official confirmed ongoing diplomatic engagement with Saudi Arabia and Yemen but declined to provide specifics about the conversations.
Saudi Arabia has so far refrained from retaliating militarily against the pipeline attack, following a request from the Iraqi prime minister. However, the Saudi Foreign Ministry stated that the kingdom reserves the right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its interests. The Iraqi government condemned the attacks and reiterated its commitment to security.
Iran’s involvement remains a key concern amid these developments. Yemeni Houthi rebels have reportedly received guidance and support from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Iranian sources disclosed that Tehran urged the Houthis to escalate attacks on Saudi targets and promised increased funding, weapons, and senior military advisors. Tehran, however, denies that the Houthis serve as a proxy, characterizing them instead as political allies.
In an effort to ease tensions, Iran is scheduled to meet representatives of Gulf states in Oman to discuss the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. The outcome of this meeting could impact regional stability and the future flow of oil through the critical chokepoint.