Houthis Claim Attacks on Saudi Arabia’s East-West Oil Pipeline
The Iran-backed Houthis on Monday claimed they attacked pumping stations along Saudi Arabia’s East-West onshore oil pipeline, the Kingdom’s key crude export route bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. The Houthis also said they attacked the Riyadh airport amid escalating hostilities between the Iran-align
Source: OilPrice.com
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DW NOTE
The East-West pipeline was built for exactly this scenario — to bypass Hormuz when the Strait is contested. With Hormuz effectively closed since October 18 and Iranian conditions for reopening still unmet, Saudi Arabia's ability to move crude to Red Sea terminals without tanker exposure is the only reason the kingdom hasn't lost export capacity entirely.