Saudi Arabia Shuts East-West Pipeline Following Cross-Border Drone Strike Originating from Iraq
Saudi Arabia shut down its strategic East-West Pipeline after aerial drone strikes hit pipeline infrastructure in the Riyadh and Madinah regions, inflicting damage and several civilian injuries. Authorities in Riyadh and Baghdad confirmed the unmanned aerial systems originated from Iraqi territory, prompting the Iraqi government to dismiss regional security leadership in Maysan province. The conduit had served as the primary bypass for crude during the ongoing Hormuz blockade.