Saudi Arabia Halts East-West Pipeline After Iraq-Launched Drone Attacks

Key Facts

Saudi Arabia halted the East-West pipeline as a precaution after multiple attacks on the morning of September 10, 2026, in the Riyadh and Madinah regions, according to the Energy Ministry. The attacks caused injuries, while emergency and technical teams began securing the line and assessing its safety.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said several drones launched from Iraq caused injuries and damage that was being addressed. It added that the kingdom had chosen not to respond at this stage following a request from Iraq's prime minister, while reserving the right to take measures needed to protect its security and facilities.

The East-West pipeline is a strategic route carrying crude to Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast, allowing exports to avoid shipping constraints in the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Aramco said the line reached maximum pumping capacity of 7 million barrels a day in the first quarter of 2026.

Reuters reported that the pipeline had carried between 4 million and 5 million barrels a day in recent months, equivalent to 4% to 5% of global supply. Its temporary closure therefore removes one of Saudi Arabia's most important alternative routes while regional shipping remains under pressure.

The line's capacity and recent throughput do not mean the same volume was immediately removed from global production: it is a transport corridor, not a producing field. The outage nevertheless reduces Saudi Arabia's ability to reroute exports and raises the risk of delays or lower deliverable volumes if constraints on other routes persist.

The Saudi statements reviewed did not provide a detailed damage estimate or a date for pumping to resume. The Energy Ministry said specialist teams were assessing the pipeline's safety and that further developments would be announced, making the technical review and repair plan the next key indicators.