Drones Launched From Iraq Strike Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline

Drones launched from Iraq's Maysan province struck Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline (Petroline) near Medina overnight on Sept 10-11, 2026, damaging pumping equipment and causing fires visible in satellite imagery. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported the strike 'resulted in some injuries' but released no casualty figures. Aramco shut the 1,200 km, 7-million-bpd pipeline as a precaution — the kingdom's principal route for bypassing the Iran-closed Strait of Hormuz — sending Brent crude up as much as 3.9% to above $108 a barrel. Saudi Arabia issued its 'strongest condemnation' but said it would not retaliate 'at this stage,' at Baghdad's request, while reserving the right to take all measures necessary to protect its sovereignty. Iraq's prime minister ordered an investigation into the Maysan provincial military operations command, dismissed its commander, and closed the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran as a precaution. No group claimed responsibility for the strike.