Two regional officials revealed that a key Saudi oil pipeline was damaged during the attack last week. Due to maintenance work, the main capacity of the pipeline will be shut down for several weeks. The east-west oil pipeline across Saudi Arabia is the core facility of Saudi oil export strategy. Saudi Arabia is shifting oil export routes to the Red Sea to avoid shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, where shipping was blocked due to Iran-related attacks. This 1,200-kilometer long pipeline can transport up to 7 million barrels of oil per day. The Houthis have gained maximum territorial control in the Mander Strait in recent years. This move may help Iran's strategic layout: put pressure on the US by boosting global oil and gas prices. The Saudi side said that the attack was initiated by Iranian-backed Iraqi militias using drones. Affected by the attack, the pipeline was forced to shut down last Thursday. Officials familiar with the matter revealed that the damage repair work on the pipeline and a major pumping station is expected to take 3 to 5 weeks. One of the officials said that the pipeline may be able to maintain part of its capacity during maintenance.

Two regional officials revealed that a key Saudi oil pipeline was damaged during the attack last week. Due to maintenance work, the main capacity of the pipeline will be shut down for several weeks. The east-west oil pipeline across Saudi Arabia is the core facility of Saudi oil export strategy. Saudi Arabia is shifting oil export routes to the Red Sea to avoid shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, where shipping was blocked due to Iran-related attacks. This 1,200-kilometer long pipeline can transport up to 7 million barrels of oil per day. The Houthis have gained maximum territorial control in the Mander Strait in recent years. This move may help Iran's strategic layout: put pressure on the US by boosting global oil and gas prices. The Saudi side said that the attack was initiated by Iranian-backed Iraqi militias using drones. Affected by the attack, the pipeline was forced to shut down last Thursday. Officials familiar with the matter revealed that the damage repair work on the pipeline and a major pumping station is expected to take 3 to 5 weeks. One of the officials said that the pipeline may be able to maintain part of its capacity during maintenance.