A major Saudi Arabian oil pipeline was attacked by drones, causing fires at several pumping stations before authorities ordered a temporary shutdown for safety. .
On 12 Sep 2026 GMT+7, CNN reported citing two U.S. officials familiar with the incident that a key Saudi oil pipeline system was struck by a projectile on Thursday, leading to fires at the pumping stations.
The Saudi Ministry of Energy issued a statement on its website on Friday, confirming the oil pipeline was attacked and that the system was shut down as a precautionary safety measure.
Reports indicate that one U.S. official revealed initial inspections found damage to a pumping station adjacent to the pipeline. Satellite images taken on Friday show heavy fire damage at one pumping station, while photos from another station on Thursday show flames and thick black smoke rising from the area.
It remains unclear who carried out the attack or whether the pipeline itself was directly damaged. However, one U.S. official stated the attack involved drones flying in from Iraq.