NewzSaudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy announced the preventive closure of the East-West pipeline on Friday, following multiple attacks perpetrated on Thursday. The crucial infrastructure transports approximately seven million barrels of crude oil per day across the Arabian Peninsula, specifically situated in the Riyadh and Medina regions, serving as a primary alternative route to export oil without traversing the Strait of Hormuz.
The confirmation of the attacks and subsequent shutdown heighten regional tensions in the Middle East. By bypassing the Strait of Hormuz—a vital maritime chokepoint under Iranian control—the East-West pipeline is critical for maintaining international petroleum supply lines, making the targeted infrastructure a key strategic asset in the region.
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