{
  "id": 6794599,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T20:27:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-says-it-closed-vital-east-west-pipeline-after-attacks"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Saudi Arabia has announced the closure of its East-West Pipeline following an attack on Thursday, potentially disrupting the flow of vital oil exports. The pipeline, which has been a key conduit for Middle Eastern oil, was shut down as a precautionary measure after multiple attacks were reported in the Riyadh and Medina regions. Social media images showed significant plumes of black smoke, indicating the extent of the damage. Despite efforts to determine the attackers' identity, Saudi Arabia has not disclosed any responsibility. The attack comes amid the ongoing conflict in Yemen, where the Houthis have made significant gains, including control of the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint, a critical shipping route. The Houthis' expanding military capabilities now allow them to use artillery, previously limited to drones and missiles. The closure of the East-West Pipeline, built in the 1980s, highlights the vulnerability of alternative bypass routes, such as those bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, especially as discussions for peace negotiations have stalled. This development has contributed to a surge in oil prices, with crude surpassing $100 per barrel due to the Houthis' control over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and speculation of potential tolls.",
  "summary": "Saudi Arabia says it closed vital East-West Pipeline after attack Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 09/11/2026 - 20:50 The pipeline has allowed Saudi Arabia to keep exporting oil, and its closure could spike energy prices further A handout picture provided by energy giant Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia's oil company, shows one of its engineers at Yanbu refinery in Medina province, on 16 January 2011…",
  "key_points": [
    "Saudi Arabia closed East-West Pipeline after Thursday attack",
    "Pipeline shut down for precaution following multiple attacks",
    "Closure impacts oil exports amid Yemen conflict"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/6794599.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
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        "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 drones launched from Iraq hit East-West Pipeline, holds off on retaliation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/saudi-arabia-says-drones-launched-from-iraq-hit-east-west-pipeline",
        "published": "2026-09-11T20:30:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}