President Donald Trump stated that Iran was "probably" behind a recent drone attack on a major Saudi Arabian oil pipeline, which forced a temporary shutdown of the critical energy infrastructure.
Speaking to reporters in Dublin during an official visit to Ireland on Saturday, Trump addressed questions regarding the identity of the perpetrators. "I think they are, probably they are," Trump said when asked if Tehran was responsible for the assault.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry reported Friday that the kingdom’s key East-West Pipeline was targeted on Thursday by several unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) originating from Iraq.
According to Saudi officials, the strikes resulted in injuries and physical damage to the facility. The Saudi Ministry of Energy confirmed that the pipeline was subsequently shut down as a precautionary measure to assess damage and ensure safety.
The incident comes at a time of severe strain in global energy markets and significant disruption to international shipping lines. Ongoing regional instability and conflicts involving Iran have created widespread volatility.
Compounding these security concerns, Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen recently seized a strategic island and a major commercial port in the Red Sea, further heightening geopolitical tensions across key maritime trade routes.
At this stage, official confirmation regarding responsibility for the strike remains unverified. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella coalition of Iran-backed militias operating in the region, publicly denied involvement in Thursday's attack.
The closure of the East-West Pipeline introduces additional uncertainty into global petroleum supplies, with international observers closely monitoring potential escalations in the region.
