Saudi Arabia’s critical East-West oil pipeline—its key alternative export route bypassing the Strait of Hormuz—has been damaged in an Iranian attack, raising fresh concerns over global energy security, according to an industry source.
The pipeline, operated by Saudi Aramco, transports crude from the kingdom’s eastern oil fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. It had been carrying around 7 million barrels per day (bpd) after Iran effectively disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy chokepoint.
Initial assessments indicate that flows through the pipeline may be impacted, although the full extent of the damage is still being evaluated. Any prolonged disruption could intensify what analysts are already calling one of the most severe global energy crises in recent years.
Saudi Arabia consumes approximately 2 million bpd domestically, leaving about 5 million bpd available for export. Prior to the attack, shipments from Yanbu were operating near full capacity, averaging 4.6 million bpd, even amid earlier strikes targeting the facility.
In a statement, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for missile and drone strikes on multiple regional targets, including oil infrastructure in Yanbu, which it described as facilities linked to American companies.
The incident underscores escalating regional tensions and highlights the vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure, with potential ripple effects on global oil markets, supply chains, and fuel prices worldwide.
By Reuters
