Saudi Arabia shuts East-West oil pipeline after attack

Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday the temporary shutdown of its 1,200‑kilometre East‑West crude oil pipeline after the conduit was struck in an attack linked to the expanding conflict in the Middle East. The pipeline, which has become the primary export route for regional oil over the past six months, was activated when the strategic Strait of Hormuz—traditionally the main artery for global petroleum shipments—was largely rendered inoperable by hostilities. Authorities said the damage required immediate suspension of flow to ensure safety and to assess the extent of the disruption.

The closure is expected to tighten global oil supplies and could push energy prices higher, analysts note, as the pipeline had been handling a substantial share of the world’s demand for Middle Eastern crude. Saudi officials indicated that repairs are underway and that the pipeline will be reopened once it is deemed secure, while the broader war continues to affect shipping lanes and regional production. The incident underscores the vulnerability of alternative export routes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.