Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut down the strategic East-West oil pipeline after it was targeted by drones launched from Iraqi territory.
Baghdad has acknowledged that the attack was carried out from an Iraqi province bordering Iran and has dismissed a military commander from his post while launching an investigation into the incident.
Riyadh has previously accused Iran-backed militias in Iraq of carrying out attacks against its energy infrastructure.
The East-West pipeline, which stretches for approximately 1,200 kilometers, is a critical piece of infrastructure for Saudi Arabia, as it allows the world’s largest crude oil exporter to transport oil while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Saudi authorities, the attack caused injuries and material damage, while the pipeline was shut down as a precautionary measure. According to Reuters, the pipeline carries approximately 4–5% of the world’s oil supply.
