Strike on the main artery — Saudis defenseless against new threat

Saudi Arabia confirmed a drone attack on the East-West oil pipeline, taking it out of service. The strikes were launched from Iraqi territory. Against this backdrop, the Houthis completed the capture of Perim Island and established control over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Saudi Crown Prince appealed to the US President for direct strikes against the Houthis but was refused.

Saudi Arabia confirmed that drones launched from Iraqi territory struck multiple points along the East-West oil pipeline. This 1,200-kilometer facility allows the country to export oil via the Red Sea, bypassing the Iran-blocked Strait of Hormuz. Authorities announced a temporary halt to pumping, with the extent of damage under assessment and some personnel injured. According to analysts, this artery carries 4% to 5% of global oil supplies. The Kingdom's Foreign Ministry stated it would refrain from a retaliatory strike at the request of Iraq's Prime Minister, but reserves the right to take any measures to protect its territory. In Baghdad, the commander of operations in the border province of Maysan was dismissed. The attack occurred amid significant Houthi advances, as they completed the capture of Perim Island (Mayyun) and established full control over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This enables them to block a key shipping route through which about 20% of global container traffic and up to 6 million barrels of oil pass daily. According to an Israeli source, the situation in Bab el-Mandeb has become more dangerous than in the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman twice contacted US President Donald Trump requesting direct strikes against the Houthis but was refused. Officials in Washington emphasized that the US does not plan to directly intervene in the Yemen war.