Saudi Arabia closes East-West pipeline after strike as regional fighting disrupts oil flows

Saudi Arabia has closed its East-West oil pipeline as a precaution after a strike damaged a major pumping station, raising concerns about further disruptions to global crude supplies as fighting involving Iran-backed groups intensifies across the region.

Satellite imagery showed significant damage to the pumping station following the strike, according to the information provided. The pipeline allows Saudi Arabia to transport crude to the Red Sea, providing an alternative to shipping oil through the Strait of Hormuz, where vessels have come under attack during the six-month war between Iran and the US, says the BBC.

The closure could remove up to 3.6 million barrels per day of crude from global supplies, or about 3.6% of global demand, according to trade intelligence firm Kpler.

Energy analysts said pipelines designed to bypass maritime chokepoints can remain vulnerable to attacks. Such infrastructure can become "sitting ducks" when it is targeted, according to analysts cited in the information provided.

Repairs are expected to take four to six weeks, with experts citing shortages of spare parts and disruptions to supply chains as factors that could delay the work.

Oil prices rose sharply following the shutdown announcement, with Brent crude trading between $108 and $109.80 a barrel.

Regional military escalation

The Saudi government blamed Iranian-backed militias in Iraq for the pipeline strike.

Meanwhile, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement has intensified its military campaign, taking control of coastal territory overlooking the Bab al-Mandab waterway as part of a declared blockade of Saudi shipping.

Houthi ballistic missile and drone attacks also damaged King Khalid Air Base near Khamis Mushait, according to the information provided. At least three aircraft hangars housing US-made F-15 fighter jets operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force were affected.

Saudi-led coalition forces said they would respond "firmly" and carried out more than 50 retaliatory air strikes against Houthi-controlled areas in western Yemen within 24 hours.

Humanitarian toll

The renewed fighting has also affected civilians.

A Houthi missile and drone attack on civilian targets injured 13 people, according to the Saudi-led coalition.

The UN Refugee Agency said more than 100,000 people have been internally displaced by the renewed fighting.

The developments have added pressure to regional energy infrastructure and shipping routes, with the East-West pipeline and the Bab al-Mandab offering alternative routes around key maritime chokepoints but remaining exposed to military attacks.