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 ris

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.