Saudi Arabia has shut down its East-West Pipeline as a precaution after reporting attacks on the strategically important line.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry said on Friday that the pipeline – which is capable of transporting oil from the Gulf to the Red Sea, bypassing the effectively blockaded Strait of Hormuz – was hit by drones coming from Iraq.
Several people were injured in the attack in the Riyadh and Medina regions on Thursday, the state news agency SPA reported, citing a source in the Energy Ministry.
The pipeline, which measures more than 1,200 kilometres, was reportedly attacked in late July by Iranian-aligned groups operating from Iraq.
It has taken on even greater importance since the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran, with Riyadh using the pipeline to reroute oil that would otherwise have been destined for tankers.
No details were initially given on possible damage or on who carried out the attack.
CNN reported, citing US government officials, that pumping stations located alongside the pipeline were struck by drones launched from Iraq.
Satellite images appear to show that fires may have broken out, CNN said. It is unclear whether the pipeline has been damaged.
The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) declined to comment on the report.
With a production rate of around 10 million barrels a day, Saudi Arabia is the world’s second-largest oil producer after the US.