Saudi Arabia has halted crude oil supplies to Europe following drone attacks by an Iraqi militia on the Saudi East-West Oil Pipeline.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry said recently that drones had been launched from Iraq at the East-West Oil Pipeline, injuring several people.
Saudi Arabia temporarily shut down the pipeline after drone attacks targeted areas near Riyadh and Madinah. It has now also stopped crude oil shipments to Europe.
According to international media, Saudi Aramco cancelled or postponed crude oil cargoes intended for European refineries. The decision has raised concerns across Europe.
The Strait of Hormuz has remained largely closed because of the Iran-US war. As a result, Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline has served as a key route for the global supply of Middle Eastern oil over the past six months.
The pipeline previously transported between 4 million and 5 million barrels of oil per day.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the pipeline could be reopened within a few days. However, according to a British news agency, repairs could take between three and six weeks.
