{
  "id": 6792874,
  "title": "Saudi Arabia closes East-West oil pipeline following attacks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/saudi-arabia-closes-east-west-oil-pipeline-following-attacks-6792874",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-11T18:52:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/2026/09/11/saudi-arabia-closes-east-west-oil-pipeline-following-attacks/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy announced on Friday that the crucial East-West oil pipeline has been shut down as a precautionary measure following multiple attacks. The attacks, which occurred in the Riyadh and Madinah regions on Thursday, resulted in several injuries, according to a statement released by the ministry on X. The pipeline, capable of pumping approximately seven million barrels of oil per day, plays a critical role in connecting oil production facilities in the Eastern Province with Yanbu on the west coast, providing flexibility for exports from Saudi Arabia's east and west coasts. The extent of the damage to the pipeline remains unclear, with the ministry stating that specialized technical teams are working to secure the pipeline and assess its safety. It is also unknown who is responsible for the strikes. The decision to shut down the pipeline follows a series of attacks by Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi rebels, who are engaged in a conflict that has intensified amid the US-Iran war. The Houthi rebels have gained control over Yemen's western coast and several strategic islands, restricting the Bab Al Mandeb strait. Satellite data on Thursday revealed unusual activity along the pipeline, including large fires and black smoke plumes detected by NASA's Firms satellite system. The attacks on the pipeline highlight the increasing threat to Saudi Arabia's oil resources and exports due to the escalating regional conflict. The closure of the pipeline, coupled with ongoing Houthi activities, may significantly impact oil prices, as Brent crude climbed back towards $105 per barrel following its earlier peak.",
  "summary": "Saudi Arabia 's Ministry of Energy on Friday announced that the vital East-West oil pipeline has been shut down as a precautionary measure following \"multiple\" attacks. The attacks on the pipeline in the Riyadh and Madinah regions came on Thursday and resulted in a number of injuries, the ministry said in a statement on X. The full pumping capacity through the East–West pipeline amounts to…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
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        "title": "Relatives of 9/11 victims hit out at Saudi Arabia, US leaders",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/relatives-of-9-11-victims-hit-out-at-saudi-arabia-us-leaders",
        "published": "2026-09-11T16:08:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia's Houthi crisis tests new alliances with Turkey, Pakistan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/saudi-arabias-houthi-crisis-tests-new-alliances-with-turkey-pakistan",
        "published": "2026-09-11T16:28:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia to unveil first Ceer electric vehicles globally in 2026",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/saudi-arabia-to-unveil-first-ceer-electric-vehicles-globally-in-2026",
        "published": "2026-09-11T17:58:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia closes East-West oil pipeline following attacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/saudi-arabia-closes-east-west-oil-pipeline-following-attacks",
        "published": "2026-09-11T18:52:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Saudi Gazette",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia shuts East-West oil pipeline after multiple attacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/saudi-arabia-shuts-east-west-oil-pipeline-after-multiple-attacks",
        "published": "2026-09-11T19:05:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia says it closed vital East-West Pipeline after attack",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/saudi-arabia-says-it-closed-vital-east-west-pipeline-after-attack",
        "published": "2026-09-11T20:27:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}