Over six months into the ongoing conflict, another entity appears to have joined the fray in the Iran war.
Militias in Iraq, backed by Iran, targeted the Saudi East-West pipeline with drones. This pipeline has been an essential route for oil since the war erupted, according to reports from U.S. officials as shared by CNN. Satellite images corroborate the incident, which highlights the increasing pressure on Saudi Arabia not just from these militias but also from Houthi Rebels, who have been striking Saudi-owned refineries and pipelines since July.
While it remains unclear who exactly was behind the attack on the Saudi Aramco pipeline, it’s confirmed that the drones originated from Iraq, as reported by CNN. (RELATED: Houthi Territory Gains Threaten To Choke Off Saudi Oil, As Trump Refuses Call For Strikes)
Yesterday’s drone assault completely destroyed the oil pumping station on the Saudi East-West pipeline, based on the latest satellite imagery.
This is vital news since the East-West pipeline can handle up to 210 million barrels of crude… https://t.co/6GCaYnkkAs pic.twitter.com/YggT4Lwzwm
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) September 11, 2026
Neither Saudi Aramco nor the embassies of Saudi Arabia and Iraq in Washington offered immediate comments regarding the incident.
The full extent of the damage to the East-West pipeline is still uncertain. Reports indicate that it is unclear how long repairs will take, with U.S. officials stating that the situation is “not immediately clear.”
The pipeline was already pushed to its limits, transporting 7 million barrels per day as Saudi Arabia tried to navigate around disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The CEO of Aramco, Amin Nasser, referred to this pipeline as a “critical supply artery,” which has helped alleviate the global energy crisis, according to the company’s statements.
In recent times, Saudi Arabia has become a focal point in the Iran war, getting entwined in clashes with the Houthi Rebels, who have made significant territorial gains in Yemen, even taking control of the coastline, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
NEW: The Houthi offensive to take control near Bab al Mandeb supports Iranian strategies in a regional effort against the U.S. and its partners.
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) September 11, 2026
Yanbu is an important oil-export hub on Saudi Arabia’s western coast, acting as the endpoint for the East-West Pipeline. This pipeline routes crude across the country to the Red Sea, allowing exports to skip the Strait of Hormuz, thus heightening Yanbu’s significance, especially with the ongoing disruptions in the Persian Gulf.
Recent data from Vortexa indicates that Saudi crude shipments from the Red Sea port of Yanbu have surged to about 3.7 million barrels per day in early September. This port has become the kingdom’s main outlet for oil due to the challenges around the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Yanbu is increasingly vulnerable, given the Houthis’ expanding influence along the Red Sea. The group has gained territory around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and maintains a naval blockade against Saudi vessels, demonstrating their capability to strike oil infrastructure deep within Saudi Arabia, according to reports.
A continued Houthi offensive against shipping routes to or from Yanbu could pose a significant risk to Saudi Arabia’s main alternative export path around the Strait of Hormuz. (RELATED: Here’s How Trump’s Houthi Headache Could Turn Into Full Blown Migraine)
Videos reveal the extensive equipment captured by the Houthis during their offensive.
— Clash Report (@clashreport) September 11, 2026
In August, Saudi Arabia’s oil production plummeted by 2.3 million barrels per day to around 6 million barrels per day, marking the lowest figures in over three decades. Correspondingly, the International Energy Agency revised its outlook for Saudi crude supply downward by 885,000 barrels per day for this year.
Although it’s uncertain who exactly carried out the drone strikes, they may be linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a militia group in Iraq tied to Iran, as suggested by the Institute for the Study of War.
While there hasn’t been a return to direct military actions against the Houthis by the U.S., reports suggest that U.S. forces have begun sharing targeting data with the Saudi Air Force. Currently, around 100 U.S. military advisers are in Saudi Arabia, supporting operations against the Houthis.
Despite earlier attempts by the U.S. military to undermine the Houthis’ capabilities to threaten shipping in the Red Sea, the rebels have shown resilience. The Pentagon executed over 1,000 strikes against Houthi positions during a campaign in 2025 before a ceasefire was established in May, according to military sources.
From 2023 to 2025, the Houthi rebels have engaged in numerous attacks against U.S. naval vessels and commercial ships. During a press conference, a former Pentagon spokesman noted that over 170 attacks targeted U.S. ships and 145 struck commercial vessels during that time frame.
BREAKING: A Saudi oil tanker appears to be on fire following a missile strike by the Houthis near Yemen. pic.twitter.com/R3nG7FSdW1
— Clash Report (@clashreport) July 22, 2026
The U.S. military previously carried out precise airstrikes aimed at eliminating Houthi leadership on March 15, as noted in official reports.
The Houthi campaign against Saudi maritime shipping kicked off notably on July 22 when they targeted a Saudi-owned oil tanker, which subsequently caught fire after the assault.
With the Strait of Hormuz severely congested, Saudi Arabia has been increasingly diverting oil flows through its East-West Pipeline to the Red Sea. This shift has boosted oil transportation through Bab el-Mandeb from approximately 5.4 million barrels per day in late 2025 to 8.1 million barrels per day in the second quarter of 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
