Saudi Arabia shuts key oil pipeline after drone attack launched from Iraq

12 September 2026, 05: 20 BST. Updated 30 minutes ago.

Key points

• The 1, 200km (745 mile) pipeline has supported Saudi Arabia – the world's largest crude oil exporter – bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
• The Gulf Co-operation Council – created up of representatives from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait – additionally issued a missive condemning the attack.
• The developments have squeezed both sides of the Arabian Peninsula, pushing crude oil rates to over $100 a barrel for the first time since July.
• As conflict in the Middle East widens, saudi Arabia has closed a critical oil pipeline after it was attacked by drones introduced from Iraq.
• The pipeline has been moving 4% to 5% of global oil supply, news agency Reuters has documented, citing ship tracking businesses and analysts.

Iraq remarked it had fired a military commander and rolled out an investigation after admitting the drone attack on its neighbour's East-West pipeline had originated in one of its provinces bordering Iran.

Meanwhile, the 1, 200km (745 mile) pipeline has supported Saudi Arabia – the world's largest crude oil exporter – bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

In practice, the incident comes against the backdrop of a major advance by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, putting more pressure on global oil shipping routes as the US-Iran war stretches into its seventh month.

As satellite images of scorched ground and smoke near the site emerged, riyadh on Friday remarked it had shut the pipeline as a precaution.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministry remarked the attack resulted in some injuries and damage. It was still being assessed.

In practice, the pipeline has been moving 4% to 5% of global oil supply, news agency Reuters has documented, citing ship tracking businesses and analysts.

After a call from Iraq's prime minister, saudi Arabia has chosen not to retaliate at this stage, its foreign ministry notes.

It remarked the kingdom would "support the efforts of the Iraqi government" to "prevent attacks" rolled out from the country against neighbouring states.

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirms that it reserves its right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and security, protect its facilities, and ensure the safety of its citizens and residents, " the statement continued.

In practice, the Iraqi prime minister's office in its own statement remarked the operations commander in the Maysan governorate – a province which borders Iran – had been removed from his post after confirmation the drone attack had been introduced from that region.

Meanwhile, the Gulf Co-operation Council – created up of representatives from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait – additionally issued a missive condemning the attack.

"This attack represents a dangerous escalation and an unacceptable threat to the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its territorial integrity, and its vital installations, as well as a flagrant violation of the principles of international law, " secretary general Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

This week, a lightning advance in Yemen has additionally seen Houthi militants seize control of much of the country's coastline, sources say.

Though it notes maritime navigation is "safe for all companies except for Saudi vessels", the group claims it has control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the gateway to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

Notably, the developments have squeezed both sides of the Arabian Peninsula, pushing crude oil rates to over $100 a barrel for the first time since July.

Taken together, the developments around saudi Arabia shuts key oil pipeline after drone attack launched from Iraq point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.