Saudi Arabia shut its East-West oil pipeline, formally known as Petroline, on September 11, 2026, one day after drone attacks damaged pump stations in the Riyadh and Medina regions and injured personnel. The strikes were traced to Iraq’s Maysan province, which borders Iran, although no group claimed responsibility. Petroline carries Saudi crude from Eastern Province oil fields across roughly 1,200 kilometers to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. It normally transports 4 million to 5 million barrels per day, equivalent to about 4% to 5% of global supply, and has a rated maximum capacity of 7 million barrels per day. Its closure is particularly significant because Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz earlier in 2026, forcing Saudi Arabia to rely more heavily on Petroline for westward exports. Yanbu also links the pipeline to refining and petrochemical facilities, extending the potential impact beyond crude shipments. Riyadh agreed to a formal investigation rather than retaliating. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi condemned the strikes, dismissed the operations commander in Maysan province and closed a border crossing with Iran. The Gulf Cooperation Council condemned the attacks as an escalation of regional tensions. Houthi advances and attacks affecting Red Sea shipping lanes have added further pressure, leaving Saudi Arabia’s two main oil export routes either closed or under threat simultaneously. Baghdad’s actions suggest it is treating the incident seriously and could accelerate the investigation.