Saudi Arabia built the East-West pipeline in the 1980s in case Iran closed Hormuz. Tehran-backed militias still blasted it, sending oil prices up

Saudi Arabia has closed a major oil pipeline following an attack, raising concerns about potential shortages in global energy markets. The East-West pipeline, built in the 1980s to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, has been critical in keeping oil flowing out of the Middle East amid the Iran-Iraq conflict. However, recent attacks by Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Yemen have disrupted the pipeline, with repairs estimated to take three to five weeks.

This has led to a significant drop in oil exports from the region, with the East-West pipeline now at risk of losing its role in the global supply chain. As a result, Brent crude prices have surged above $105 a barrel, causing concern for households and businesses worldwide.