Iran strikes vital Saudi oil pipeline bypassing Hormuz: Reuters
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- Iran attacked Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, disrupting the Kingdom's sole remaining oil export route following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
- IRGC claimed responsibility for the strike on Yanbu facilities, which experts warn will severely worsen the ongoing global energy crisis.
An Iranian military strike has targeted a critical Saudi Arabian oil pipeline responsible for transporting crude from the Gulf to the Red Sea for export, according to a Reuters report citing an industry source on Wednesday.
The attack threatens to severely impact global energy markets, as the targeted infrastructure served as the Kingdom's sole remaining export outlet following Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Pipeline flows expected to drop
The strategic East-West pipeline typically transports approximately seven million barrels per day from Saudi Arabia's eastern oil production centers to the Red Sea port city of Yanbu.
An industry source warned that oil flows are expected to be significantly affected by the recent attack, with technical teams currently working to assess the full extent of the damage.
Energy experts caution that this severe disruption could exacerbate what is already being described as the world's worst energy crisis, which has been characterized by stalled global shipments and soaring energy prices.
IRGC claims strikes on Yanbu facilities
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released an official statement on Wednesday claiming responsibility for the assault. The IRGC stated it launched coordinated missile and drone strikes against several regional targets, specifically citing hits on what it described as American oil company facilities located in Yanbu.
Prior to this latest escalation, Saudi Aramco utilized two million barrels per day domestically, leaving roughly five million barrels for international export.
Recent shipping data indicated that loading operations at Yanbu had successfully maintained an average of 4.6 million barrels per day—operating near its maximum facility capacity—despite previous attacks that targeted the same oil hub on March 19.
