Trump says Iran 'probably' responsible for the attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline

US President Donald Trump stated during a press conference in Dublin on Saturday that Iran was likely responsible for the recent attack on Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline. He assured reporters that the conflict would be resolved, highlighting the strong friendship between him and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump also mentioned that Yemen's Houthi rebels had no desire to engage in a confrontation with the United States, stating "the Houthis don't want to fight with us."

The attack on the East-West pipeline drew widespread regional condemnation, with Gulf and Arab states expressing their strong disapproval. The Gulf Co-operation Council demanded "necessary, decisive measures" to prevent the kingdom's territory from being utilized to launch further attacks. Qatar strongly condemned the assault on civilian and economic sites, labeling it a violation of international law and a threat to regional security while expressing full solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

Jordan supported the kingdom's sovereignty and vowed to back Saudi Arabia's protective measures. Bahrain, too, condemned the attack and reiterated its solidarity with Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy announced on Friday that the crucial East-West oil pipeline had been halted as a precautionary measure following several attacks. The strikes in Riyadh and Madinah regions caused injuries, and officials later confirmed that drones launched from Iraq were responsible. Despite this request from Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi, Saudi Arabia expressed no immediate intention of retaliating.

The kingdom emphasized its right to take all necessary steps to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and vital facilities, as affirmed in a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The East-West pipeline, which facilitates pumping capacity of approximately seven million barrels per day, is vital for linking oil production sites in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province with the west coast in Yanbu. This flexibility allows for exporting oil from both coasts of the kingdom. As investigations into the extent of damage to the pipeline continue, Saudi authorities dispatched specialized technical teams to secure the pipeline and assess its safety.