Two US officials told CNN that Saudi Arabia’s key east–west oil pipeline system
was struck by projectiles on Thursday. Preliminary analysis indicates pump
stations beside the pipeline were hit; satellite imagery shows one pump station
heavily fire-damaged and another with a smaller fire and smoke. Responsibility,
damage to the pipeline itself and repair timing remain unclear; a US official
said drones used in the attack came from the direction of Iraq. The east–west
pipeline’s importance has risen since the outbreak of hostilities between the US
and Iran: with Iran effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi has rerouted
about 5 mln bpd originally bound for Persian Gulf tankers via the pipeline to
Yanbu on the Red Sea. Houthi forces have warned they will strike any Saudi
vessels transiting Bab al‑Mandeb, putting the alternate export route at risk.
