Saudi Arabia’s key energy lifeline, the East-West oil pipeline designed to bypass the vulnerable Strait of Hormuz, has reportedly been hit in an Iranian attack, raising fresh concerns over global oil supply disruptions.
According to a Reuters report, the strike targeted critical infrastructure linked to the pipeline, which transports crude from Saudi Arabia’s eastern oil fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. The pipeline was specifically built to ensure uninterrupted exports in the event of a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a route that handles a significant share of the world’s oil trade.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Wednesday claimed responsibility for the assault, stating that it deployed a mix of missiles and drones to hit multiple targets across the Persian Gulf. It also said that oil facilities associated with American companies in Yanbu were among those struck.
The development comes amid heightened tensions following US-Israeli strikes on Iran, with Tehran having already restricted movement through the Strait of Hormuz. With that route effectively constrained, the East-West pipeline had become Saudi Arabia’s primary export channel, capable of carrying up to 7 million barrels per day (bpd).
However, damage to infrastructure around Yanbu now threatens to disrupt this critical flow. Recent shipping data indicated that exports from the port were running close to capacity, around 4.6 million bpd, making any interruption particularly significant for global markets.
Industry sources told Reuters that the strike could remove substantial volumes of crude from the market, potentially worsening an already volatile energy situation. Saudi Arabia itself requires roughly 2 million bpd for domestic consumption, leaving the remaining export capacity vulnerable if repairs are delayed.
Officials are still assessing the extent of the damage, but analysts warn that any prolonged disruption could have ripple effects on oil prices and supply chains worldwide.
This is not the first such incident in recent weeks. Last month, a drone struck the Samref refinery in Yanbu’s industrial zone, underlining the growing risks to critical energy infrastructure as the regional conflict intensifies.
