Saudi Arabia shuts down its major East-West oil pipeline, temporarily halting crude flow after it comes under aerial attack. Multiple outlets report the closure is linked to damage or risk from an attack, with the timing tied to intensifying conflict around Yemen and the Red Sea.
The articles connect the pipeline shutdown to Houthi advances and attacks near key shipping routes, including the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Hindu, Times of India, and others say Houthi forces capture territory, including a strategic island at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, which heightens pressure on regional maritime movement. NDTV and India Today emphasize that the shutdown threatens Saudi exports through vital shipping lanes.
Some reporting also highlights competing claims over responsibility for the drone strike. A Reuters-sourced account cited by Al-Monitor and Business Line says Saudi Arabia and Iraq both attribute the attack’s origin to Iraq, where Iranian-backed militias operate, and that Iraq dismisses a military commander in response. Other outlets focus more on the broader Houthis’ grip on Red Sea shipping rather than specific attribution details. India Today suggests the outage could last weeks.
