Saudi Arabia Shuts Key Oil Pipeline Following Drone Attacks from Iraq
19 sources across 14 countries · 1 of them is linked to a state
Who reported this
- The Guardian
- BBC News
- Financial Times
- CNN
- Al-Monitor
- Bloomberg
- The Times of Israel
- The Jerusalem Post
- Infobae
- La Tercera
- France 24
- Frankfurter Allgemeine
- South China Morning Post
- The Indian Express
- ANSA
- Al Jazeera
- Business Day
- El Pais
- Neue Zuercher Zeitung
What the colours mean
- Left
- Centre-left
- Centre
- Centre-right
- Right
- A hatched block means the outlet is affiliated with, or controlled by, a state.
Political lean describes where an outlet sits within the politics of its own country. It is never a position on a single global scale.
Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.
The owner of each outlet is listed as a matter of record, not as a judgement about the outlet.
Saudi Arabia has temporarily closed its critical East-West oil pipeline as a precautionary measure after it was targeted by drone attacks. The Saudi foreign ministry stated that the drones originated from Iraq and caused injuries and damage in the Riyadh and Medina regions. The 1,200km pipeline is a vital export route that allows the kingdom to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, which has been disrupted since the start of the US-Iran war. According to the International Energy Agency, Saudi oil exports through the Red Sea port at the end of the pipeline have more than doubled since the conflict began.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi confirmed that the attacks were launched from the southeastern province of Maysan, which borders Iran. In response, the Iraqi government dismissed the operations commander of that province and launched an investigation. Iraqi authorities also closed several border crossings with Iran, including Shalamcheh and Chazabeh, to prevent the smuggling of drones and identify those responsible. While some reports indicate an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias in Iraq denied responsibility, Saudi Arabia has previously accused such groups of targeting its infrastructure.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated from Dublin that Iran was probably responsible for the attack. He also mentioned that he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. While some reports suggest the Crown Prince urged the U.S. to strike Houthi rebels in Yemen, Trump declined, stating that the Houthis had indicated they did not want the United States directly involved in the conflict.
The incident occurs amid a wider regional escalation. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have made rapid advances, seizing control of much of the Red Sea coast and the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait. The Houthis have declared that navigation through the strait is safe for all except Saudi vessels. In response, Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have carried out strikes against Houthi positions near the city of Mokha.
Saudi Arabia has chosen not to retaliate against Iraq at this stage, citing a request from the Iraqi prime minister to allow Baghdad time to take necessary measures. The Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League have both condemned the attacks, describing them as a dangerous escalation and a violation of international law. Global oil prices have risen, surpassing 100 dollars per barrel this week.
How each side framed it
- Centre-left
- These outlets highlighted the pressure on the U.S. administration and the potential for Iran to use its proxies to force a Saudi withdrawal from Yemen.
- Centre
- These outlets focused on the strategic importance of the pipeline and the broader geopolitical instability involving Iran and the Houthis.
- Centre-right
- These outlets emphasized the violation of Saudi sovereignty and the necessity of Iraqi accountability to protect global energy security.
Sources
- Centre ANSA: Saudi Arabia closes the key pipeline: 'Hit by drones coming from Iraq'
- Centre-left Al Jazeera: Saudi Arabia shuts critical oil pipeline after drone attack: What it means
- Centre Al-Monitor: Trump says Iran probably responsible for attack on Saudi pipeline
- Centre BBC News: Saudi Arabia shuts key oil pipeline after drone attack launched from Iraq
- Centre Bloomberg: Iraq Fires Commander After Drone Attacks on Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline
- Centre-right Business Day: Iraq races to contain fallout after local Iran-backed militias accused of attacking Saudi pipeline
- Centre-left CNN: Trump says Iran likely responsible for attack on vital Saudi oil pipeline
- Centre-left El Pais: Trump refuses to assist Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea despite the closure of a key pipeline
- Centre Financial Times: Saudi Arabia shuts East-West pipeline that bypasses Hormuz after attacks
- Centre France 24: Live: Saudi Arabia closes East-West pipeline after attacks from Iraq
- Centre-right Frankfurter Allgemeine: HEJAZ REGION, SAUDI ARABIA: Oil price rises after attack on pipeline
- Centre-right Infobae: The Arab League condemns drone attacks launched from Iraq against a Saudi pipeline
- Centre-right La Tercera: Iraq investigates attacks launched from its territory against Saudi pipeline and closes two border crossings with Iran
- Centre-right Neue Zuercher Zeitung: Attack on the Lifeline: Saudi Arabia's most important pipeline is out of operation after a drone attack
- Centre-right South China Morning Post: Iran, UAE leaders discuss de-escalation as oil supply worries spike
- Centre-left The Guardian: Saudi Arabia shuts down key oil pipeline, blaming drones from Iraq
- Centre The Indian Express: Saudi East-West oil pipeline shut: Why it matters for global oil markets, and India
- Centre-right The Jerusalem Post: Trump says Iran probably responsible for attack on Saudi pipeline
- Centre The Times of Israel: Iraq under pressure after local Iran-backed militias accused of attacking Saudi pipeline
100% of the statements in this article were traced back to the source articles listed above.