Saudi Arabia Shuts 7-Million-Barrel Pipeline After Drone Attack From Iraq, Oil Hits $110

Saudi Arabia Shuts 7-Million-Barrel Pipeline After Drone Attack From Iraq, Oil Hits $110

Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut down its East-West pipeline — the kingdom's only oil export route that avoids the Strait of Hormuz — after drones launched from Iraq struck the line, briefly sending oil prices to $110 a barrel and leaving Asian refiners scrambling for answers.

· 4 min read ·
petrolmiddle eastiranisraelpalestine

Saudi Arabia shut down its East-West oil pipeline on Friday after multiple drone attacks, the kingdom's Energy Ministry said, calling the closure "preventive." The attacks happened on the morning of Thursday, September 10, 2026, and "caused several injuries," the ministry said, without naming who carried them out. Emergency and technical teams secured the infrastructure and checked its safety [240051].

The East-West pipeline, also known as Petroline, crosses Saudi Arabia from the eastern oil fields on the Persian Gulf to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea. It is about 1,200 kilometers long and can carry up to 7 million barrels of crude oil per day [240051]. The route matters because it lets Saudi Arabia export oil while avoiding the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that is a frequent point of tension and a vital route for global oil shipments [238854][239415].

Iraq has confirmed that the attack was launched from its soil [240448]. Saudi Arabia said it will not retaliate and wants Iraq to "take the necessary measures" [240448]. Baghdad is facing pressure from the United States to control Iran-backed militias [240448]. Iraq's prime minister's office confirmed Saturday that the drone attacks were launched from Iraq, and an Iraqi military commander who led operations in Maysan province has been removed from his post. Iraqi forces are hunting the attackers and have closed the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran to stop them from fleeing [240125].

US President Donald Trump said Iran was "probably" behind the attack [239973]. Iran has denied any involvement [239928]. The accusation adds new pressure to Iraq, which is trying to stay out of the wider regional conflict triggered by the U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran that began at the end of February [239991].

The shutdown pushed oil prices higher, with the news briefly sending prices to $110 a barrel as markets feared the conflict in the Middle East was widening [239087]. Prices had already been rising quickly [238854]. Asian oil refiners are now seeking answers from Saudi Arabia, waiting for clarity on oil cargoes scheduled for pickup at the Yanbu terminal [240699].

The pipeline has faced repeated threats in recent months. In late July, the Houthis of Yemen said they attacked "several targets and sensitive points" linked to oil supply and transport along the pipeline route with drones. In April, Iranian attacks hit a pipeline station and cut about 700,000 barrels per day of pumping volume, though the flow was later fully restored [240051].

The attack comes as the Iran-backed Houthi movement advances in Yemen. The Houthis have captured a strategic island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a narrow waterway between Yemen and East Africa that is a key route for global shipping, threatening Saudi oil exports that pass through the commercial lane [239059]. Houthi fighters held a rally in Sanaa on September 10 to find new recruits as the group stepped up recruiting [239991].

Yemen's Health Ministry, controlled by the Houthi rebels, said Friday that 44 "civilians" were killed and 38 wounded over eight days, from September 3 to 10, blaming the attacks on Saudi Arabia, which backs Yemen's government forces. The ministry said five children and three women were among the dead, and 11 children and five women among the wounded [240051].

Separately, a vessel was struck in the Strait of Hormuz, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported. The attack came just before Iranian and Gulf officials were expected to meet in Oman to sign an agreement on shipping through the strait, adding doubt to U.S.-Iran diplomatic efforts that already appeared stalled [240591]. A planned meeting between Iran and several Gulf nations was postponed; it was meant to discuss creating a temporary shipping lane through the Strait of Hormuz [240708].

Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipments, since the Middle East war began. Riyadh has relied more on the East-West pipeline since the war started [239278]. It is not known if the pipeline is operating again [240125].

Sources

Saudi Arabia Shuts Down Its Only Oil Pipeline That Bypasses Hormuz After Attacks #240051Iraq confirms pipeline attack launched from its territory #240448Iraq closes Iran border after Saudi pipeline drone attack #240125Iran blamed for Saudi oil pipeline attack #239973Iran denies role as Houthis seize key strait, Saudi oil flow halted #239928Saudi Oil Pipeline Shut Down: Iraq Accused of Militia Attack #239991Oil spikes to $110 as Saudi Arabia shuts key pipeline after Iraq drone attack #239087Saudi Oil Halt: Asian Refiners Left Guessing #240699Saudi Arabia Halts Key Oil Pipeline After Attacks #238854Saudi Arabia Halts Key Pipeline After Attacks; Strait of Hormuz Tensions Rise #239415Saudi Arabia Halts Key Oil Pipeline After Drone Attack From Iraq #239278Houthis Seize Red Sea Island, Threatening Global Shipping #239059Ship attacked in Strait of Hormuz ahead of key Iran-Gulf talks #240591Saudi Pipeline Attack Disrupts Oil Route Bypassing Strait of Hormuz #240708

Related

Saudi Arabia Shuts Down 7-Million-Barrel Pipeline After Drone Attack From Iraq, Oil Spikes to $110

Saudi Arabia has closed its only oil pipeline that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz following drone attacks launched from Iraq, briefly pushing oil prices to $110 a barrel as Iraq hunts the attackers and closes a key border crossing with Iran.

Saudi Arabia's Oil Lifeline Cut: Houthis Seize Red Sea Strait as Drone Attack Shuts 745-Mile Pipeline, Oil Hits $110

Houthi rebels seize a key Red Sea strait while a drone attack forces Saudi Arabia to shut down its main oil pipeline, cutting off the kingdom's oil export routes and sending crude prices surging.

Saudi Pipeline Shut, Houthis Seize Red Sea Strait as Oil Tops $102

Houthi forces captured key positions in the Bab el-Mandeb strait while Saudi Arabia halted its main oil export pipeline after a drone attack, sending crude prices above $102 a barrel.

Oil Hits $100 After Houthi Strikes Force Saudi Arabia to Halt Energy Operations

Saudi Arabia has suspended operations at several energy facilities in the kingdom’s southern region following a series of attacks claimed by the Iran-backed Houthi militant group, sending Brent crude oil surging toward the $100-per-barrel mark [237764][237662][237762].

Houthis Hit Two Saudi Oil Tankers, Oil Hits $98 as Ships Reverse Course in Red Sea

Houthi rebels struck two Saudi oil tankers with missiles and drones, pushing crude prices to $98 per barrel and causing all oil tankers heading to or from Saudi ports to abruptly change direction.

Saudi Pipeline Shutdown and Houthi Island Seizure Threaten Two Oil Chokepoints as Iran Tensions Escalate

Saudi Arabia halts a major pipeline after attacks while Iran-backed Houthis seize a key island near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, raising fears that two vital oil routes could be disrupted at once.