Saudi Arabia announced on Friday that it had shut the 1,200km (745 mile) East-West oil pipeline as a precaution after satellite imagery showed scorched ground and smoke at the site of a drone attack that originated in Iraq's Maysan governorate, a province that borders Iran.
The Iraqi government responded by removing the operations commander in Maysan and opening an inquiry into the incident, acknowledging that the drones were launched from its territory and pledging to prevent further attacks against neighbouring states.
The pipeline, which carries roughly four to five per cent of global oil supply, enables the world’s largest crude exporter to bypass the strategic Strait of Hormuz; its closure therefore raises concerns about supply disruptions and has contributed to crude prices climbing above $100 a barrel for the first time since July.
The attack comes amid a broader escalation in the region, with Iranian‑backed Houthi rebels in Yemen advancing along the coastline and claiming control of the Bab al‑Mandab Strait, heightening fears for Red Sea shipping lanes while the US‑Iran conflict enters its seventh month.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said the kingdom would support Iraq’s investigative efforts but reserved the right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty, while the Gulf Cooperation Council condemned the strike as a dangerous escalation and a violation of international law.
Source: BBC World News. View the original report.
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