Saudi East-West oil pipeline shut after fresh attack on Khurais station
A new strike damaged a pumping station east of Riyadh, halting the East-West pipeline that transports Saudi crude to the Red Sea.
A fresh attack struck a pumping station east of Riyadh in the Khurais region, inflicting heavy damage and forcing the East-West pipeline to cease operations. The incident comes after the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen announced they targeted Saudi Aramco infrastructure, naming sites in Khurais. The 1,200-kilometre pipeline, which moves crude from the kingdom's eastern fields to the Yanbu terminal on the Red Sea, has faced multiple assaults since the Middle East war intensified following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Earlier disruptions were linked to attacks launched from Iraq, where pro-Iran militias operate. Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, halted the line after those earlier incidents. According to the commodity-tracking platform Kpler, the pipeline stayed non-operational for an extended period.
Why it matters
The shutdown reduces Saudi oil exports, affecting global supply and prices.
How this story developed
- Sep 11 Smoke spotted near Saudi East-West oil pipeline as Houthi advances intensify
- Sep 26 Iran awaited an official U.S. reply to its UN‑transmitted peace initiative.
- Sep 26 In a speech to the UN General Assembly, Han Zheng highlighted China's view that global progress should be built on development and open cooperation. He warned that protectionist policies benefit no one and reiterated support for multilateral dialogue. The address also touched on the Middle East conflict, AI and the Belt and Road initiative, but did not mention Taiwan despite heightened US-China tensions. Analysts noted the speech was routine, with President Xi absent and senior officials rotating representation at the UN.
- Sep 26 Gulf leaders scheduled a meeting with Donald Trump to seek a diplomatic path with Iran.
- Sep 27 Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran will remain resolute and not retreat despite President Donald Trump's rejection of Iran’s seven‑day ceasefire and Strait of Hormuz reopening proposal.
- Sep 28 Han Zheng’s address emphasized Belt and Road cooperation with three‑quarters of participating nations.
- Sep 29 The U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on ten individuals and firms accused of obtaining weapons components for Iran's defence ministry.
- Oct 2 The United States has now sanctioned Iran's automotive and railway sectors.
- Oct 3 A second tanker was hit east of Oman, adding to the earlier incident in the strait.
- Oct 3 A witness observed a large plume of fire and smoke near an Aramco facility in Riyadh on Saturday, with authorities yet to confirm the incident.
- Oct 3 Saudi jets launched 26 strikes on Sanaa following the fire at the Aramco site.
- Oct 4 Houthi spokesperson announced that missiles and drones struck Aramco facilities in Riyadh and eastern Khurais, causing large fires.
- Oct 5 Middle East crude exports surpassed pre-Iran war volumes in late September, even as tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz increased.
- Oct 5 The G7 announced a release of 100 million barrels from emergency reserves.
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