WORLD 🔗 Part of: Tremors from the Middle East (68) · 14 Sep 2026 · 02:22 GMT ·2 min read

Saudi Arabia Closes East-West Pipeline Following Drone Attacks as Regional Tensions Escalate

Oil prices rose on September 13, 2026, after Saudi Arabia closed the 1,200 km (745 miles) East-West pipeline.

NEUTRALITY 84 · BALANCED· 5 sources

Al Jazeera

Oil prices rose on September 13, 2026, after Saudi Arabia closed the 1,200 km (745 miles) East-West pipeline. The closure followed drone attacks from Iraq. WTI crude rose 2.8% to $102.87 per barrel. Brent crude increased 3.1% to $107.87 per barrel. The pipeline transports 7 million barrels per day from Abqaiq to Yanbu. It serves as a bypass for the Strait of Hormuz. Iran and Gulf states postponed a diplomatic meeting in Oman. The shutdown disrupts a major energy transit route.

Context

The East-West pipeline connects Abqaiq, near the Persian Gulf, to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Saudi oil exports through Yanbu have more than doubled since the start of the war with Iran.

Supportive perspectives

The East-West pipeline provides an alternative route to the Strait of Hormuz. The pipeline spans 1,200 km (745 miles) from Abqaiq to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. The infrastructure allows Saudi Arabia to maintain exports during maritime traffic disruptions.
The pipeline carries 7 million barrels of oil per day. This volume represents roughly 7% of global daily oil demand as of 2024. The closure forces markets to adjust for potential supply constraints.
On September 13, 2026, global oil markets shifted. WTI crude futures rose 2.8 percent to 102.87 USD per barrel. Brent crude futures gained 3.1 percent to 107.87 USD per barrel.
Diplomatic channels remain active despite the escalation. Iran and Gulf Arab states scheduled a meeting for September 14, 2026, in Salalah, Oman. Officials postponed the event after the pipeline attack.

Critical perspectives

The attack highlights security risks to Saudi energy infrastructure. Authorities discovered drone launchers near the border with Iran in the al-Tib region of Missan province. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi agreed to a joint investigation with Iran regarding the launch sites.
Houthi militants injured 73 civilians in attacks on southern Saudi cities on September 8, 2026. Saudi-led coalition forces responded with 64 airstrikes across four Yemeni provinces on September 9, 2026. The ongoing conflict continues to damage infrastructure and endanger civilians.
Consumer energy costs remain high during the conflict. US average diesel prices exceeded $6 per gallon on September 11, 2026. The ongoing war contributes to this economic pressure.
Geopolitical tensions affect security for oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The US military restricted air defense coverage for these vessels to two daily time slots beginning September 1, 2026. This change alters security conditions for maritime shipping in the region.