A key Saudi pipeline taking oil to the Red Sea was hit by a drone attack on Wednesday, hours after a regional ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was announced, according to a new report.
Reuters detailed that the East-West pipeline was the country's only wait to export crude following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a result of the war.
Concretely, it was diverting about 7 million barrels a day to the port of Yanbu. Flows are now expected to be affected, the outlet noted, citing a source familiar with the development. Damage is still being assessed.
It is unclear whether the strait, through which about 20% of the world's energy passes, will be fully opened after the ceasefire announcement and whether Iran will be charging vessels for passage.
In fact, President Donald Trump is considering a joint U.S. venture with Tehran to charge vessels, according to another report.
ABC News' journalist Jonathan Karl said in a social media post that the potential agreement is a "way of securing" the key waterway, through which about 20% of the world's energy passes. "Also securing it from lots of people. It's a beautiful thing," he added.
The possibility follows the announcement of a ceasefire just hours before the deadline given by Trump to prevent the bombing of infrastructure used for civilian purposes, including power plants and bridges.
Axios noted that U.S. forces were preparing a large bombing campaign as the hour loomed. "We had no idea what was going to happen. It was wild," an official told the outlet.
However, the outlet noted, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei instructed negotiators on Monday to move towards a deal. China also advised Tehran to seek an off-ramp. Talks are now planned for Friday in Pakistan, with Vice President JD Vance leading the U.S. delegation. However, large gaps between the countries remain and there is a real possibility that hostilities will resume.
The president also said on Wednesday that the U.S. will work to retrieve Iran's enriched uranium with the country, which has "gone through what will be a very productive Regime Change."
In a social media publication, Trump claimed there "will be no enrichment of Uranium, and the United States will, working with Iran, dig up and remove all of the deeply buried (B-2 Bombers) Nuclear "Dust."
He went on to claim that the material is under satellite surveillance and "nothing has been touched from the date of the attack" last year.
"We are, and will be, talking Tariff and Sanctions relief with Iran. Many of the 15 points have already been been agreed to," Trump added.
