Saudi Arabia shuts critical oil pipeline after drone attack: What it means

Saudi Arabia has temporarily closed its critical East-West oil pipeline, a 1,200km (746-mile) conduit stretching across the Arabian Peninsula, after it was attacked by drones on Friday. The drones were reported to have been launched from Iraq, where an investigation is under way. No group has claimed responsibility for the strikes so far. Plumes of smoke from a section of the pipeline could be seen on video footage from the area. It is understood that equipment used to operate the pipeline was also hit. The closure of the pipeline has halted the flow of Saudi oil exports, which have also been disrupted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz since March.