International News
How the Strait of Hormuz Attack Could Trigger a Fresh Global Oil Shock
A fresh report of an attack on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz has intensified fears over global oil supplies, as escalating attacks across the Middle East threaten two of the region’s most important energy and shipping corridors.
The British navy-affiliated United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said early Sunday, that it had received a report of a projectile striking a vessel as it travelled through the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest incident came just a day after Saudi Arabia temporarily shut down its vital East-West oil pipeline following a drone attack, adding another layer of uncertainty to global energy markets.
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The developments have raised concerns that continued attacks could further restrict oil shipments and push energy prices even higher after Brent crude surged back above $100 a barrel during the past week.
Saudi Arabia Shuts Vital Oil Pipeline
Biztellers report on Saturday that Saudi Arabia announced the temporary closure of its 1,200-kilometre (745-mile) East-West pipeline as a precaution after a drone attack.
Both Riyadh and Baghdad said the drones originated in Iraq, where Iranian-backed militias operate.
The pipeline has become a critical alternative route for Saudi oil exports because the Strait of Hormuz has been largely shut by the ongoing war.
It has been carrying between 4 million and 5 million barrels of oil per day, equivalent to around 4% to 5% of global oil supply.
The pipeline’s role has helped Saudi Arabia avoid some of the disruption that has hit other Gulf oil and gas exporters.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the pipeline attack.
Satellite images showed black smoke rising from an area of the pipeline south of Medina. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said the attack caused some injuries and damage that was being assessed, but it did not provide details about the impact on oil exports.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Iran was probably responsible for the attack.
Houthi Attacks Add to Energy Supply Fears
The threat to energy infrastructure is also spreading across the Red Sea.
On Saturday, Saudi Civil Defence said a projectile fired by the Houthis injured two people in the Jazan region and damaged several buildings, including a mosque.
The developments came as the Houthis expanded their offensive along the Red Sea, creating an additional challenge for Washington and increasing concerns about the security of the region’s major energy and shipping routes.
Four Yemeni government sources told Reuters that the Houthis seized the strategic island of Perim on Friday, September 11, in the middle of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait — the “Gate of Tears” at the southern entrance to the Red Sea.
The Houthis have been attacking Saudi ships in the area since declaring a blockade in July and have also targeted other Saudi oil facilities.
Saudi Crown Prince Seeks U.S. Military Help
The widening attacks have also created a difficult decision for Washington over whether to directly support Saudi Arabia against the Houthis and risk expanding the war.
Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, called Trump on Thursday, September 10, and asked for U.S. military assistance in fighting the Houthis, according to three sources who spoke to Reuters.
The sources said the crown prince was told that Washington would not intervene directly for now but would provide intelligence support.
Trump confirmed on Saturday that he had spoken with the crown prince.
He also said the Houthis had contacted his administration and asked Washington not to become directly involved in the conflict.
Meanwhile, oil prices have climbed sharply during the past week, while the retail price of diesel in the United States surged above a record $6 per gallon.
Iran Plays Down Prospects of Oman Talks
The latest attacks came shortly before planned talks involving Iran and Gulf Arab states in Oman.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced on Friday, September 11, that Iran would attend a meeting with Gulf Arab states in Oman on Monday, September 14, where the future of the Strait of Hormuz would be discussed.
However, a senior Iranian official speaking to Reuters on Saturday played down expectations of a breakthrough.
The official said the meeting, which was initiated by Oman, would discuss issues including the Strait of Hormuz but was not expected to produce a signed agreement.
Iranian parliament national security committee chief Ebrahim Azizi also warned that Tehran would not consider negotiations useful unless Washington accepted Iran’s conditions.
“As long as the American side does not accept all of Iran’s conditions, dialogue and negotiation are of no use,” Azizi said in a post on X on Saturday.
A source cited by Iran’s Tasnim news agency said an agreement concerning routes through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman would be presented at Monday’s meeting.
However, the source said the strait would not reopen unless seven conditions conveyed by Iran to the United States were met, without elaborating on the conditions.
Iran wants its control of the Strait of Hormuz to be recognised, which would allow it to collect fees from ships using the waterway.
Washington rejects that demand.
Oman, which controls the opposite bank of the strait, says it is negotiating with the agreement of other regional states.
Before the war began, ships had free and open passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Global Oil Market Faces Fresh Pressure
The latest vessel attack report, the death and injuries reported aboard an Iranian commercial vessel, Saudi Arabia’s pipeline shutdown and the expanding Houthi offensive have combined to raise concerns about further disruption to the global energy market.
The 1,200-kilometre East-West pipeline had provided an important alternative route for Saudi oil exports while the Strait of Hormuz was largely shut by the war.
With that pipeline now temporarily closed and shipping through the Strait facing renewed security threats, further disruption could place additional pressure on already-tight oil supplies.
For global consumers and oil-importing economies, the developments create the possibility of higher crude prices, increased fuel costs and broader economic pressure if the disruption continues.
International News
Iran Signals Nuclear Policy Shift, Says Quitting NPT Could ‘Put America in Its Place’
Iran has signalled that withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and revising its nuclear doctrine are possible options, with a senior parliamentary spokesman describing both steps as “fully achievable.”
Abbas Goudarzi, spokesperson for the presidium of Iran’s parliament, made the remarks on Sunday, saying that only the “logic of power” works with the United States.
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According to Iran’s Fars news agency, Goudarzi said that leaving the NPT and reconsidering Iran’s nuclear doctrine would “put America and its followers in their place.”
He described withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a revision of Iran’s nuclear doctrine as “a completely achievable and readily attainable step.”
Goudarzi also warned against trusting the United States, saying that doing so amounts to accepting deception.
“Trusting the United States amounts to accepting deception,” he said.
His comments came after reports on Saturday that a group of Iranian lawmakers had signed a three-urgency plan seeking Iran’s withdrawal from the NPT.
An Iranian commercial vessel was struck early Sunday off Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz, killing one person and injuring three others, according to Iranian state-run media.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) separately reported that a vessel was hit by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, but gave no further details about the incident.
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There was no immediate comment from the U.S. military, which has previously carried out strikes against Iranian-flagged vessels as the blockade of Iranian ports continues.
Following the strike, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, citing Qeshm Governor Amir Teymouri, described the incident as an attack by the “US terrorist enemy.”
The latest incident comes amid escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial international waterway that has become a major flashpoint since the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran on February 28.
The Strait was previously regarded as an international waterway, but the ongoing conflict has increasingly disrupted shipping and raised concerns over the safety of commercial vessels and global energy supplies.
Iran said Saturday that foreign ministers from regional countries will meet to discuss efforts by Iran and Oman, which lies on the other side of the Strait, to manage shipping through the strategic waterway.
Details later…….
Saudi Arabia’s temporary shutdown of its major East-West oil pipeline after a drone attack could trigger fresh pressure on the global economy, with countries across Asia, Europe, Africa and North America facing the possibility of higher oil, fuel and transportation costs.
The 1,200km pipeline, operated by Saudi Aramco, connects Saudi Arabia’s oil-producing east to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
It provides the kingdom with a crucial alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, which has already been heavily disrupted amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
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Saudi Arabia said drones struck the pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina areas on September 10, causing injuries and damage.
The kingdom subsequently suspended operations as a precaution while specialised teams assess and secure the facility.
Saudi authorities later confirmed that the drones were launched from Iraqi territory.
According to report, the pipeline had been carrying around 4 million to 5 million barrels of oil per day, equivalent to roughly 4 to 5 percent of global oil supply.
Countries likely to feel the impact
China and India
China, the world’s largest crude oil importer, could be among the biggest casualties if the disruption lasts. Reduced Saudi supplies could force Chinese refiners to compete for alternative crude, increasing energy and manufacturing costs.
India is also highly exposed because of its dependence on imported crude. Higher oil prices could raise petrol, diesel and aviation costs while increasing inflation and the country’s import bill.
Japan and South Korea
Both countries depend heavily on imported energy. A prolonged supply disruption could increase the cost of crude, manufacturing, transportation and petrochemical production.
United States and Europe
The United States is a major oil producer but remains exposed to global prices. A sustained supply shortage could push up gasoline and diesel prices and increase transportation costs.
European economies, including Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, could also face higher fuel, manufacturing and shipping costs.
Africa
The impact could spread across Africa through higher fuel and transportation prices.
Nigeria could benefit from higher crude prices through increased oil revenues, but higher international energy and shipping costs could also create pressure on consumers and businesses.
Oil-importing countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia could face greater pressure from rising energy costs.
Pakistan and Southeast Asia
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam could also be affected because of their reliance on imported energy.
Higher crude prices could increase transportation, electricity, manufacturing and food-distribution costs.
Iraq investigates the attack
Iraq has condemned the attack and said it would not allow its territory to be used as a “launchpad for attacks against any nation.”
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered an investigation after authorities determined that the drones originated from Maysan province, which borders Iran.
The commander of the Maysan operations command was dismissed, while Iraq also ordered the closure of the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran as a precaution.
No group has claimed responsibility.
Analysts have pointed toward Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq as a possible culprit, while US President Donald Trump has also blamed Iran. Those claims have not been independently established.
Saudi Arabia holds off on retaliation
Riyadh has so far decided not to retaliate, saying it would refrain “at this stage” following a request from the Iraqi prime minister.
Saudi Arabia, however, warned that it reserves the right to take “all necessary measures” to protect its sovereignty, security and infrastructure.
Yemen adds to the danger
The attack comes as Iran-backed Houthi forces make major advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and have reportedly seized the strategic Mayun Island near the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
That development is significant because Bab al-Mandab is one of the world’s major shipping chokepoints.
Saudi Arabia is therefore facing pressure on both sides of the Arabian Peninsula: its traditional export route through the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted, while its key alternative pipeline to the Red Sea has now been attacked.
What happens next?
Saudi Arabia could attempt to reroute some crude through Egypt, the Suez Canal and the Sumed pipeline, but these alternatives cannot immediately replace the East-West pipeline.
The kingdom could also face longer and more expensive shipping routes around Africa if Red Sea security deteriorates further.
Brent crude has already risen above $100 per barrel, while US diesel prices have reached record levels.
Ben Cahill of the Atlantic Council described the East-West pipeline as Saudi Arabia’s “principal bypass option to avoid the Strait of Hormuz.”
“The key buffers that got us through the last six months have basically been worn away,” he said.
Saudi political analyst Khalid Bartafi warned that the consequences could become global.
“This is not just our problem, it’s a global problem,” he said.
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