Overview
- Saudi authorities said drones struck the 1,200 km East‑West (Petroline) pipeline on Thursday, prompting a temporary halt while teams assessed damage and treated several injured people.
- Iraq’s prime minister dismissed the Maysan operations commander, formed an investigative committee, closed three border crossings with Iran, and authorities reported seizing multiple drone launch platforms.
- No group has clearly claimed responsibility; an Iran‑aligned umbrella group said the attack was “an honour that we do not claim” while President Donald Trump publicly said Iran was “probably” to blame without presenting evidence.
- The pipeline normally moves about 4–5 million barrels per day and its suspension tightened oil supply and shipping risks, compounding threats from Houthi gains on the Red Sea and pressure on routes that avoid the Strait of Hormuz.
- Saudi Arabia condemned the strikes but, at Baghdad’s request, held off military retaliation while investigations continue, leaving markets and regional leaders watching for the probe’s findings and potential next steps.