Saudi Arabia announced Friday that it has temporarily shut down the East‑West oil pipeline, a critical artery that moves crude across the kingdom. The ministry said the shutdown was a “precautionary measure” after the pipeline was attacked the previous day, though it did not identify the perpetrators.
Why the pipeline matters
Built in the 1980s, the East‑West line has allowed Saudi exporters to bypass the Strait of Hormuz when that chokepoint has been disrupted by Iranian‑U.S. tensions. By routing oil inland before sending it to Red Sea ports, the pipeline has helped keep global supply steady during periods of regional instability.
Houthi advances heighten risk
Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have recently seized coastal territory near the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait, a narrow passage that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The capture of the volcanic island known as Perim (also called Mayun) and the port city of Mokha opens a new front in the conflict and threatens one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes.
Houthi officials boasted of their gains and warned that “maritime navigation is safe for all companies except for Saudi vessels.” The rebels have been attacking Saudi shipping in the Red Sea since July, citing the kingdom’s long‑standing blockade of Houthi‑held areas in Yemen.
Impact on oil markets
Crude prices have already surged above $100 a barrel this week, a development that gives Tehran additional leverage in any diplomatic talks. Analysts note that the pipeline shutdown, combined with recent Houthi attacks on Saudi vessels, could further tighten global oil supplies.
Shipping through the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait fell by roughly 60% after Houthi attacks began in late 2023. While Saudi Arabia has redirected some flow northward through the Suez Canal and an Egyptian pipeline, the Houthis have also threatened those routes, striking a Saudi vessel in the northern Red Sea in August.
Regional diplomatic context
Iran’s foreign ministry called for an end to Saudi blockades of Houthi‑controlled areas, framing the dispute as part of a broader regional power struggle. Iranian Revolutionary Guard officials have urged that any U.S.‑Iran negotiations include Yemen, underscoring the strategic importance of the Red Sea theater.
Saudi officials maintain that the kingdom has always offered “opportunities for negotiation” and reserves the right to defend its interests. The Saudi Ministry of Energy’s statement emphasized that the pipeline shutdown is temporary and aimed at protecting the nation’s vital energy infrastructure.
Humanitarian fallout
The intensified fighting has displaced more than 46,000 Yemenis, according to the United Nations migration agency. Aid groups report that hospitals in Mokha are struggling to stay open as staff flee the conflict.
Despite the turmoil, Saudi Arabia continues to seek alternative routes for its oil exports, reinforcing its commitment to keep global energy markets stable while defending its sovereign right to protect critical infrastructure.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
