Saudi Arabia is facing growing challenges in exporting its oil after attacks forced the closure of a key pipeline, while Iran and its allies have tightened their grip on the kingdom’s main maritime routes, the AFP reported.
The world’s largest oil exporter last week shut its East-West pipeline, a roughly 1,200-km link connecting oil fields in eastern Saudi Arabia with the Yanbu terminal on the Red Sea. The move followed attacks on Saudi oil facilities originating from Iraq, where pro-Iran armed groups are active.