Saudi Arabia shuts down key oil pipeline, blaming drones from Iraq

Riyadh has increased use of East-West pipeline since start of war on Iran to bypass closure of strait of Hormuz

Saudi Arabia has shut down a critical oil pipeline, accusing militants in Iraq of launching drone attacks on the export route being used to bypass the lockdown of the strait of Hormuz.

The world’s largest ⁠crude oil exporter has increased its use of the 745-mile (1,200km) pipeline running across the Arabian peninsula, which links Abqaiq, near the Gulf, to the port of Yanbu, on the Red Sea, since the US-Israeli war against Iran began.