Trump blames Iran for Saudi pipeline attack as Red Sea tensions rise

US President Donald Trump has said Iran was probably responsible for a drone attack that forced Saudi Arabia to suspend operations on a major oil pipeline, as growing instability around the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea threatens to further disrupt global energy supplies.

Speaking to reporters in Dublin on Saturday, Trump was asked whether Iran was behind the attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline.

“I think they are, probably they are,” he said.

The president added that he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom he described as a “good friend.” Trump’s comments came as regional tensions intensified and Saudi Arabia faced mounting security concerns over attacks allegedly launched from neighbouring Iraq.

The kingdom’s East-West pipeline, also known as Petroline, is a crucial part of its oil export infrastructure. The 1,200-kilometre route transports crude from the oil-producing areas of eastern Saudi Arabia to Yanbu on the Red Sea, allowing the kingdom to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

Saudi Pipeline Shut Down After Drone Strikes

Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry said on Friday that the pipeline had been temporarily shut down as a precaution after several drones struck locations in the Riyadh and Medina regions on Thursday morning.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said the drones originated in Iraq and caused injuries and material damage. Authorities have not disclosed the full extent of the damage or provided a timeline for restoring operations.

Satellite imagery reportedly showed black smoke rising from an area south of Medina. Emergency and technical teams were deployed to secure the affected facilities and inspect the pipeline and its pumping stations.

The shutdown comes at a particularly sensitive time for global energy markets. According to analysts and ship-tracking companies cited by Reuters, the pipeline had been transporting between 4 million and 5 million barrels of crude oil per day in recent months.

That volume represents a significant share of global oil supplies, although the actual effect of the suspension will depend on the duration of the shutdown and the amount of pumping capacity affected.

Saudi Arabia has so far refrained from retaliating against the suspected perpetrators. Riyadh said it had accepted a request from the Iraqi prime minister to give Baghdad time to investigate the attack and prevent further strikes from its territory.

However, Saudi authorities warned that the kingdom reserved the right to take all necessary measures to protect its security, sovereignty and vital infrastructure.

Iraq Takes Action After Attack

Iraq condemned the attack and pledged that its territory and airspace would not be used as a launchpad for attacks against other countries.

The Iraqi government also dismissed a military commander responsible for operations in Maysan province, which borders Iran and is considered an area where Iranian-backed Shiite militias have maintained influence.

Baghdad ordered an investigation into the incident and launched efforts to identify those responsible. Iraq also reportedly closed the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran as a precautionary measure.

The latest incident follows earlier tensions between Riyadh and Baghdad. Saudi Arabia had previously accused Iranian-aligned armed groups operating from Iraq of launching drones toward its oil facilities.

Houthis Tighten Grip on Red Sea

The pipeline attack coincided with reports that Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen had seized the strategic island of Perim, located near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the entrance to the Red Sea.

The development could pose a serious threat to one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. The Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as a major passage for oil tankers and commercial vessels.

Four Yemeni government sources told Reuters that Houthi forces took control of the island on Friday. The reports could not immediately be independently verified.

The alleged seizure came as fighting intensified between Yemen’s internationally recognised government and the Houthis, who have controlled the capital, Sanaa, and large parts of northern and western Yemen since 2014.

Saudi Arabia has requested military assistance from Washington to counter the growing threat. However, US officials said the Trump administration was not currently planning direct military action against the Houthis.

Instead, Washington was reportedly providing Saudi Arabia with intelligence and targeting support.

Trump Says Iran War Could End Soon

Trump also predicted that the war with Iran could end “very soon,” while insisting that Tehran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

Speaking after a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, the US president claimed Iran was attempting to prolong the conflict to influence elections.

“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. It’s very simple,” Trump said.

He also suggested that oil prices could fall sharply once the conflict ends.

The president claimed the Houthis had contacted his administration and indicated that they did not want a direct confrontation with the United States.

“They don’t want to fight with us,” Trump said, adding that most ships were still being allowed to pass through the Red Sea.

However, continuing attacks and territorial advances by Houthi forces have raised doubts about the stability of the shipping route.

Oil Markets Face Fresh Pressure

The combined disruption in the Strait of Hormuz and the growing risks around the Red Sea have placed additional pressure on global energy markets.

The International Energy Agency said Saudi crude supplies had fallen to their lowest level in more than three decades, partly because of attacks affecting shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb region.

Oil prices have reportedly climbed above $100 per barrel, increasing concerns about fuel costs, inflation and the wider economic impact of the conflict.

Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline was designed to provide an alternative route for crude exports when shipping through Hormuz becomes difficult. But the latest attack demonstrates that overland energy infrastructure is also vulnerable to regional instability.

The pipeline’s temporary closure, combined with the reported Houthi advance near the Red Sea, could further complicate efforts to maintain energy flows.

For now, Saudi Arabia’s export losses remain uncertain, and officials have not announced when the pipeline will resume operations. The outcome of investigations in Saudi Arabia and Iraq, along with developments in Yemen and the wider US-Iran conflict, will determine whether the latest disruption remains temporary or develops into a broader energy crisis.