From BBC News · · 1m 30s
Saudi Arabia shuts its Hormuz bypass after drone hit
A drone flown from Iraq forced Saudi Arabia to close the pipeline it built to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, and oil passed $100.
In brief
A drone flown from Iraq forced Saudi Arabia to close the pipeline it built to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, and oil passed $100. The Middle East conflict has reached the infrastructure Saudi Arabia built as its insurance policy, and both sides of the Arabian Peninsula are now squeezed at once. Originally reported by BBC…
A pipeline goes dark
Saudi Arabia shut its East-West oil pipeline on Friday after drones struck it. The foreign ministry says there were injuries and damage still being counted.
The drones came from Iraq
Baghdad admitted the attack was launched from Maysan, a province on its border with Iran. It fired the operations commander there and opened an investigation.
Why this line matters
The 1,200km pipeline lets the world's largest crude exporter move oil without passing through the Strait of Hormuz. It has been carrying 4% to 5% of global supply.
Riyadh holds its fire
After a call from Iraq's prime minister, Saudi Arabia chose not to retaliate for now, while Gulf neighbours called the strike a dangerous escalation.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirms that it reserves its right to take all necessary measures”
Houthis take the coast
In Yemen, a lightning advance handed Houthi fighters much of the coastline. They claim the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the way into the Red Sea and Suez.
“maritime navigation is "safe for all companies except for Saudi vessels"”
Oil clears $100
With pressure on both flanks of the Arabian Peninsula and the US-Iran war in its seventh month, crude passed $100 a barrel for the first time since July.
The big picture
The Middle East conflict has reached the infrastructure Saudi Arabia built as its insurance policy, and both sides of the Arabian Peninsula are now squeezed at once.
