Saudi Arabia says drones from Iraq targeted East-West Pipeline, holds off response

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia said Friday that its strategic East-West Pipeline was targeted by multiple drones launched from Iraq, causing injuries and damage, but said it had chosen not to respond at this stage following a request from the Iraqi prime minister.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the attacks, saying the damage was being addressed.“Based on a request from the Iraqi prime minister to give the Iraqi government an opportunity to take measures necessary to prevent attacks launched from Iraqi territory against the Kingdom and neighboring countries, Saudi Arabia has chosen not to respond at this stage and to support the efforts of the Iraqi government,” the ministry said.The Kingdom stressed, however, that it reserves the right to take all measures necessary to protect its sovereignty, security, facilities, citizens and residents.Earlier Friday, the Ministry of Energy said Saudi Arabia had shut down the pipeline as a precaution after it was subjected to multiple attacks in the Riyadh and Madinah regions on Thursday morning.The attacks resulted in a number of injuries, with medical care provided to those affected.Emergency and specialized technical teams responded immediately, taking measures to secure the pipeline and assess its safety in accordance with approved safety procedures and emergency response plans and in coordination with relevant authorities.The Energy Ministry said further developments would be announced in due course.The shutdown takes on added significance because the East-West Pipeline has become a key route for Saudi crude exports since the outbreak of the US-Iran war and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.Saudi Arabia has rerouted about 5 million barrels of oil per day that would otherwise have been shipped from terminals in the Arabian Gulf, sending the crude through the East-West Pipeline to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.The pipeline provides the Kingdom with a strategic alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, allowing crude produced in eastern Saudi Arabia to reach export facilities on the Red Sea.