Saudi Arabia shuts East-West oil pipeline after attacks

Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday that it has temporarily shut down the East‑West crude oil pipeline as a precautionary measure following a series of attacks on the conduit earlier in the week. The pipeline, which transports oil from the Gulf coast to the interior of the kingdom, is considered a critical component of the nation’s export infrastructure.

Both the Iraqi and Saudi governments said the assaults originated in Iraqi territory, an area where Iranian‑backed militias are active. Officials in Baghdad and Riyadh attributed the incidents to these groups, prompting the shutdown to safeguard the facility and prevent further disruption. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, and a liveblog continues to provide updates on developments related to the attacks and the pipeline’s operational status.