Saudi Arabia on Saturday has temporarily shut down its East-West oil pipeline after a drone attack on the vital energy conduit, in an escalation that has put further pressure on Iraq and raised fresh concerns over disruptions to global oil supplies.

Houthis may have struck Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, with satellite-detected fires reported amid rising tensions.

The pipeline has played a key role in Saudi Arabia’s ability to continue exporting oil following the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz.

Pipeline has been shut 'as a precautionary measure', Saudi energy ministry says