Saudi Arabia has closed a critical oil pipeline after it was attacked by drones launched from Iraq, as conflict in the Middle East widens.
The East-West pipeline runs 1,200km (745 miles) and has helped Saudi Arabia — the world's largest crude oil exporter — bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Riyadh said it shut the pipeline as a precaution, as satellite images of scorched ground and smoke near the site emerged.
Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry said the attack caused some injuries and damage, the extent of which was still being assessed.
Iraq fires commander and opens investigation
Iraq said it had fired a military commander and launched an investigation after admitting the drone attack on its neighbour's pipeline had originated in one of its provinces bordering Iran, the BBC reported.
Saudi Arabia has previously accused Iran-backed militia in Iraq of targeting its oil facilities.
Saudi Arabia has chosen not to retaliate at this stage, its foreign ministry said, following a call from Iraq's prime minister. The kingdom said it would "support the efforts of the Iraqi government" to "prevent attacks" launched from the country against neighbouring states.
Oil prices push above $100
Crude oil rose above $100 a barrel on Thursday, reaching its highest level since May 19, as escalating tensions in the Middle East raised fears of prolonged disruption to global energy supplies, according to Trading Economics.
The data provider put crude at $101.53 a barrel on September 10, up 5.71% from the previous day and up 62.79% compared with the same time a year earlier.
The Saudi pipeline had been moving 4% to 5% of global oil supply, Reuters reported, citing ship tracking companies and analysts.
Trading Economics also reported that Saudi Arabia's crude oil production fell sharply in August 2026, dropping by around 1.9 million barrels a day to 6.238 million barrels a day — its lowest level since 1990.
Wider regional conflict
The incident comes amid a major advance by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, putting more pressure on global oil shipping routes as the US-Iran war stretches into its seventh month.
On Friday, Yemen's Saudi-backed government forces said they had struck Houthi fighters in the strategic coastal city of Mokha, a day after the Houthis seized control of the entire Red Sea coast.
What is confirmed and what is awaited
Confirmed so far: Saudi Arabia has closed the East-West pipeline, Iraq has acknowledged the attack originated from one of its provinces bordering Iran, and Baghdad has fired a commander and opened an investigation.
Still unknown: the full extent of injuries and damage, which Saudi officials said was still being assessed, and whether further action will follow. Riyadh has said it would not retaliate at this stage.
Also awaited are the findings of Iraq's investigation and any further steps by the Saudi and Iraqi governments to prevent attacks launched from Iraqi territory against neighbouring states.