13 September 2026
Saudi Arabia says a vital pipeline carrying oil from its eastern fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu has been temporarily shut down after being struck by several drones launched from Iraq, causing injuries and damage. Abdulaziz Alghashian of the Gulf International Forum says Saudi Arabia is likely to pursue a multilateral response, potentially involving partners such as Turkey and Pakistan, as it weighs how far regional and international allies are willing to go. Ben Cahill of the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Center says losing the pipeline is a serious blow to Saudi Arabia's ability to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, warning that oil prices are likely to rise further if Red Sea access remains under threat.
