President Donald Trump said on Saturday, September 12, 2026 that Iran was “probably” behind a drone attack launched from Iraq that forced Saudi Arabia to shut its East-West Pipeline. He spoke to reporters in Dublin. It remains unclear who carried it out, and no group has formally claimed it.
Saudi Arabia said the pipeline was hit by several drones on Thursday, causing injuries and some damage, and was shut as a precaution. Iraq condemned the attack, ordered an investigation and closed a number of border crossings. Al Jazeera later reported that Iraqi forces seized a drone-launching platform. The Iran-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq said it does not claim the attack.
The pipeline matters because Saudi Arabia has rerouted about 5 million barrels of oil a day through it to the Red Sea port of Yanbu since Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. A source told CNN the Saudi crown prince urged Trump in two calls on Thursday to strike the Houthis, and that Trump declined. The White House said it is focused on protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea while empowering regional partners to take the lead.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Qatar Tribune.
