Iran probably responsible for attack on Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline: Trump
US President Donald Trump on Saturday said Iran was “probably” responsible for an aerial attack on Saudi Arabia that shut down the kingdom’s East-West oil pipeline, a key route for exporting crude while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
“I think they are, probably they are,” Trump told reporters in Dublin when asked whether Iran was behind the attack on the vital oil conduit, adding that he also spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom he described as a “good friend”.
The US president said Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels had contacted his administration and indicated that they did not want Washington to become directly involved in the conflict.
“They would much prefer not having us involved, and they’re letting most ships go through,” Trump said. “There’s just one country that they’re not too happy with, and we’ll get that straightened out.”
Trump’s statement came after Saudi authorities said on Friday that drones launched from Iraq had targeted the East-West pipeline, leading to its temporary shutdown.
The pipeline links Abqaiq, near Saudi Arabia’s Gulf coast, to Yanbu on the Red Sea. Riyadh has increased its use since the start of the Middle East conflict as an alternative route to export crude amid the disruption around the Strait of Hormuz.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned what it called the targeting of the East-West pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions by several drones originating from Iraq. The attack caused injuries and damage, it said.
An Energy Ministry official told the Saudi Press Agency that the pipeline was shut down as a precaution and that several people were injured in the attacks.
According to The Guardian report, satellite images taken on Thursday by Copernicus Sentinel showed black smoke rising near Medina, close to the general route of the East-West pipeline that transports Saudi crude to the Red Sea coast.
The Iraqi government confirmed that the attack originated from its territory and said the commander responsible for the southern province of Maysan had been dismissed. Iraq also condemned the attacks on Saudi Arabia and said they had originated from a location within the governorate.
Saudi Arabia said it had decided not to respond to the attack at this stage, following a request from Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, and would support Baghdad’s efforts to prevent attacks launched from Iraqi territory against the kingdom and neighbouring countries.
Riyadh has previously accused Iran-backed Iraqi militias of targeting its oil infrastructure. However, it said it reserved the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security, facilities and people.
Bahrain, Jordan and Qatar also condemned the attack, while the Gulf Cooperation Council described it as a “dangerous escalation” and an unacceptable threat to Saudi Arabia’s security.
The attack comes as oil prices have risen above $100 a barrel this week, while average US diesel prices crossed $6 a gallon for the first time on Friday, adding to economic pressures facing the Trump administration ahead of the midterm elections.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in July and have targeted Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. The Houthis said navigation through the Bab al-Mandab Strait remained safe for vessels other than those linked to Saudi Arabia.- EndsPublished By: Shipra ParasharPublished On: Sep 12, 2026 17:25 IST
