Saudi Arabia Resumes East-West Oil Pipeline Operations, Aramco Prepares to Resume Exports From Yanbu

According to IRNA, citing Reuters, Saudi Arabia has resumed operations on the East-West oil pipeline, which carries crude from Abqaiq on the Persian Gulf coast to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Trade sources told Reuters that Aramco has been preparing since Tuesday, September 22, 2026, to resume oil exports from Yanbu. The pipeline is one of Saudi Arabia's key routes for exporting oil while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry had earlier said the pipeline was struck by several drones launched from Iraqi territory, and satellite imagery reportedly showed fires at six points along its route. Separately, the Financial Times, citing satellite data, reported that Saudi oil production has fallen to its lowest level this calendar year because of threats from Yemeni forces and a declared naval blockade of Saudi exports since late July.