Day 201 | US expects Saudi East-West pipeline to resume flows within days

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that crude oil shipments through Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline are projected to resume within days after an attack forced a temporary shutdown of the critical energy conduit last week.

The disruption to the pipeline—which allows Saudi Arabia to bypass the Strait of Hormuz by transporting oil to Red Sea ports—has intensified global market volatility and highlighted vulnerabilities in regional energy infrastructure.

Tensions in regional waters escalated further following an attack on an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Royal Navy of Oman rescued 23 crew members from the stricken vessel.

Maritime rescue units are continuing search operations for two missing crew members as risks to international shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf remain elevated.

The combined impact of the strike in Hormuz and the shutdown of Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline has driven global oil prices steadily upward, as market participants weigh ongoing risks to regional energy exports.

Addressing the geopolitical posture in the Gulf, Iran’s security chief asserted that the strategic reality governing global energy transport and the Strait of Hormuz has fundamentally changed.

Reiterating Tehran's firm diplomatic stance, the official stated that no negotiations will take place with the United States until Washington meets Iran's conditions as outlined in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.