Saudi Says Drones From Iraq Hit Oil Pipeline, Forcing Shutdown; Holds Off Retaliation

Last Updated:September 12, 2026, 02:49 IST

Saudi Arabia said it had decided not to retaliate immediately following a request from the Iraqi prime minister.

Satellite image shows a general view of an infrastructure site after it was damaged by fire southeast of Medina along the general route of Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline. (AFP photo)

Saudi Arabia on Friday said several drones launched from Iraq struck its East-West oil pipeline, causing damage and injuries and forcing the key route to be shut as a precaution.

In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned “the targeting of the East-West pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions by several drones coming from Iraq”.

An Energy Ministry official told the SPA news agency that the pipeline was stopped as a precaution and that the attacks left several people injured.

The ministry said the attacks took place on Thursday morning.

Riyadh Holds Off Retaliation

Saudi Arabia said it had decided not to retaliate immediately following a request from the Iraqi prime minister.

“At the request of the Iraqi prime minister… [Riyadh] has chosen not to respond at this stage” and instead support Baghdad’s efforts to prevent attacks launched from Iraq against Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries, the Foreign Ministry said.

However, Riyadh warned that it “reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, its security, its facilities” and its people.

The East-West pipeline runs from Abqaiq near the Gulf to Yanbu on the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia has increasingly relied on the route to move oil towards the Red Sea as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted shipments through the Gulf.

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Why did Saudi Arabia shut down its East-West oil pipeline?

Saudi Arabia ordered a precautionary suspension of operations along its East-West oil pipeline after several drones launched from Iraq struck the key route on Thursday morning. The attacks caused damage, including extensive fire damage at a pumping station, and left several people injured.

Why did Saudi Arabia decide not to immediately retaliate after the drone attacks on its pipeline?

Saudi Arabia chose not to retaliate immediately following a direct request from the Iraqi prime minister. Instead of responding at this stage, Riyadh decided to support Baghdad’s efforts to prevent future attacks launched from Iraqi territory against Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries.

Where does the Saudi East-West oil pipeline run and why is it important?

The East-West pipeline runs from Abqaiq near the Gulf to Yanbu on the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia has increasingly relied on this crucial export route to move oil toward the Red Sea because disruptions and closures in the Strait of Hormuz have impacted shipments traveling through the Gulf.

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