Saudi Arabia says East-West pipeline hit by drones launched from Iraq

Saudi Arabia says its East-West oil pipeline was struck by several drones launched from Iraq, in an attack that caused injuries, material damage and a temporary shutdown of part of the route. The incident was reported in the Riyadh and Medina areas, according to a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Iraq condemned the attack and said it had opened an investigation into those responsible.

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Saudi officials said the pipeline was stopped as a precaution after the strike. A Saudi energy official said the attacks resulted in some injuries, while the foreign ministry said the kingdom had expressed its strongest condemnation. Saudi Arabia also said it would not retaliate immediately, after a request from Baghdad to allow Iraqi authorities time to take measures to prevent further attacks launched from Iraqi territory.

The kingdom said it reserved the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security and critical facilities. Iraq said it welcomed Saudi Arabia's decision to hold off on retaliation and said it appreciated Riyadh's response to its efforts to contain the situation. Baghdad also said its territory and airspace would not be used as a launching pad for aggression against any country.

The attack is significant because the East-West pipeline is one of Saudi Arabia's key energy routes, carrying oil across the country. Any disruption to that infrastructure can have implications beyond the immediate damage, given the role of Saudi energy exports in regional and global markets. The incident also adds to tensions over cross-border attacks involving drones and other airborne systems, which have increasingly shaped security concerns around critical infrastructure in the Gulf.

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The Saudi statement said the drones originated from Iraq, while Iraq's response focused on rejecting the use of its territory for attacks and on preserving relations with Saudi Arabia. The involvement of both the foreign ministry and the energy ministry in Riyadh suggests the government is treating the strike as both a security and infrastructure issue. Satellite imagery cited in reporting showed black smoke near Medina along the pipeline route, indicating the scale of the disruption was visible from space.

What remains unclear is who carried out the attack and whether the investigation in Iraq will identify those responsible. It is also not yet clear how long the affected section of the pipeline will remain out of service or whether there will be any wider operational impact. For now, both governments are publicly signalling restraint, while the investigation and any protective measures continue.

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