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Saudi Arabia shut down its strategic East-West oil pipeline as a precaution after multiple attacks struck sections of the system in the Riyadh and Madinah regions Thursday morning, the Energy Ministry said.
An official ministry source said the attacks on Sept. 10 caused a number of injuries and that those affected received medical care.
Emergency and specialized technical teams responded immediately, securing the pipeline and assessing its safety under approved emergency response procedures in coordination with relevant authorities, the ministry said.
The government said further developments would be announced as information becomes available.
CNN reported earlier, citing two U.S. officials familiar with the incident, that the East-West pipeline system had been struck by projectiles, damaging pumping stations and triggering fires.
The East-West pipeline carries crude from Saudi Arabia’s eastern oil-producing region to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, allowing exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
The pipeline has become increasingly important since the U.S.-Iran war began, with Saudi Arabia rerouting about 5 million barrels of oil per day through the system after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.
The attacks also come as Houthis in Yemen have threatened Saudi vessels using the Bab al-Mandab Strait, putting additional pressure on the kingdom’s Red Sea export route.
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