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US President Donald Trump has said Iran was probably behind an aerial attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, a major route that allows the kingdom to export crude without relying on the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump made the remarks to reporters in Dublin on Saturday when asked whether Iran was responsible for the attack.
“I think they are, probably they are,” Trump said.
The US president also said he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom he described as a “good friend.”
Meanwhile, Trump said Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis had contacted his administration and indicated that they did not want the United States to become directly involved in the conflict.
“They would much prefer not having us involved,” Trump said, adding that most ships were still being allowed to pass through the region.
Saudi Arabia temporarily shut its East-West pipeline after an aerial attack caused damage and injuries in the Riyadh and Madinah regions.
The Saudi Energy Ministry said the shutdown was a precautionary measure. Emergency and technical teams were deployed to secure the facility and assess the damage.
The 1,200-kilometre pipeline runs across the Arabian Peninsula and provides Saudi Arabia with an alternative export route to the Strait of Hormuz.
The pipeline has reportedly transported between 4 million and 5 million barrels of crude per day in recent months. That represents roughly 4% to 5% of global oil supply.
The attack has therefore raised concerns about further pressure on global energy markets.
Saudi Arabia said the drones originated from Iraq. Baghdad condemned the attack and pledged to investigate those responsible.
Riyadh has so far decided against retaliation. However, Saudi authorities said the kingdom reserves the right to take necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security and critical infrastructure.
The pipeline attack came as Iran-aligned Houthi forces reportedly increased their presence around the Red Sea.
Four Yemeni government sources said the Houthis had seized the strategic island of Perim at the entrance to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The development could further threaten one of the world’s key maritime routes.
The Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz are both vital to global energy trade. Any prolonged disruption could increase shipping costs and put additional pressure on oil prices.
Global crude prices have already moved above $100 a barrel amid the wider regional conflict and disruption to shipping routes.
Saudi Arabia has also asked Washington for military assistance against the Houthis, according to sources cited in the supplied reports.
However, US officials have indicated that Washington does not currently plan direct military action against Houthi forces.
Two US officials said the Trump administration was providing Saudi Arabia with intelligence and targeting support.
They said Washington’s assessment could change if threats to Red Sea shipping increase.
US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper also visited Saudi Arabia for talks as part of Washington’s support for Riyadh.
According to one US official, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held two calls with Trump and pressed for greater US military involvement.
Saudi Arabia has reportedly signalled that it could launch a major offensive against the Houthis on its own if necessary. No final decision has been announced.
The latest developments come after years of relative calm in Yemen following a truce that began in 2022.
The Houthis have controlled Sanaa and large parts of northern and western Yemen since 2014. Government forces and their allies continue to control large areas in the south and east.
Separately, US officials have reportedly linked high-resolution satellite imagery supplied by Chinese entities to an Iranian missile attack that killed three American soldiers in Jordan in July.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran obtained satellite imagery before and after the July 17 attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base.
The attack involved ballistic missiles striking a housing area and killed three US troops while wounding four others.
Washington has not accused China of directly supporting the attack. The identities of the alleged Chinese suppliers have also not been disclosed.
According to the report, US officials raised the issue with Chinese counterparts. Beijing denied the allegations and demanded evidence.
The development comes ahead of a planned September 24 meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The administration has reportedly sought to avoid new tensions with Beijing that could affect the summit.
The Gulf Cooperation Council condemned the attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi called the incident a dangerous escalation and a threat to Saudi Arabia’s security and vital infrastructure.
He urged Iraq to take stronger measures to prevent its territory from being used to launch attacks against neighbouring countries.
The GCC also reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia and its right to protect its territory, facilities, citizens and residents.
Iraq, meanwhile, said its territory and airspace would not be used as a launchpad for attacks against other countries.
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Saudi Arabia said several drones struck the pipeline on Thursday morning.
The attacks caused damage and injured several people, according to Saudi authorities. Medical teams treated those injured while emergency crews worked to secure the site.
Riyadh said it would not retaliate “at this stage” after Iraq’s prime minister asked Saudi Arabia to allow Baghdad to investigate and prevent further attacks from Iraqi territory.
Saudi Arabia welcomed Iraq’s efforts but warned that it retained the right to take measures needed to protect its interests.
Tensions between the two countries had already increased after Riyadh reported earlier drone attacks launched from Iraq.
Saudi authorities had blamed Iranian-backed militias and urged Baghdad to stop attacks originating from Iraqi territory.
The conflict has also intensified inside Yemen.
The Yemeni Air Force reportedly carried out strikes against Houthi positions around Mocha and Dhubab.
Yemeni military spokesman Brigadier General Majid Abdullah al-Nuzaili said the strikes hit vehicles, weapons and gatherings of Houthi fighters.
He also reported attacks near the port of Mocha and along the Mocha-Dhubab road.
The claims could not be independently verified from the supplied reports.
Yemen had experienced a relative lull since 2022. However, regional tensions have again increased as the Houthis have expanded their involvement in attacks on Israel and commercial shipping.
The renewed fighting has raised concerns that Yemen could return to a broader conflict.
Saudi Arabia also ended a “potential danger” alert issued for Khamis Mushait in the country’s southwest.
The Civil Defence authority urged residents to continue following official safety instructions and avoid gathering near incident sites.
The alert came amid reports of intensified fighting in neighbouring Yemen.
Saudi authorities had earlier issued similar warnings for Abha and Khamis Mushait.
The developments highlight growing security risks across the southern Arabian Peninsula as fighting in Yemen, disruptions around the Red Sea and tensions involving Iran continue to affect the region.
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