Trump says Iran ‘probably’ behind Saudi pipeline attack

US President Donald Trump on Saturday pointed the finger at Iran as the likely perpetrator behind a drone attack that forced Saudi Arabia to shut down its East-West oil pipeline, a critical route for exporting crude while bypassing the contested Strait of Hormuz.

"I think they are, probably they are," Trump told reporters in Dublin when asked whether Iran was responsible for the strike on the vital conduit.arabnews+1

Pipeline Attack and Regional Fallout

The remarks came after Saudi authorities said Friday that drones launched from Iraq targeted the pipeline in the Riyadh and Madinah regions on Thursday morning, causing injuries and damage. The Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned the attack and said it had opted not to retaliate at this stage, following a request from Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, but reserved the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty.indiatoday+2

Iraq's government confirmed the attacks originated from its territory and dismissed the commander responsible for the southern province of Maysan. Iraq also closed two key border crossings with Iran, halting all passenger and commercial traffic, according to AP.apnews+1

The pipeline, which links Abqaiq near Saudi Arabia's Gulf coast to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, had become increasingly important as an alternative export route amid disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Aramco had been routing between 4 and 5 million barrels of crude per day through the line.wionews+1

Trump on Houthis and Oil Prices

Speaking after meetings with Irish President Catherine Connolly and Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Trump said he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, describing him as a "good friend". He added that Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels had contacted his administration and signaled they did not want direct US involvement. "They would much prefer not having us involved, and they're letting most ships go through," Trump said.usnews+2

Trump also predicted the broader conflict with Iran would wind down after the US midterm elections in November. "I think the war's going to end immediately after the election because they can't hold out any longer," he told reporters earlier this week, according to the Associated Press. He said oil prices would come "tumbling downward" after the vote, though he acknowledged relief was still weeks away.cnbc+2

Wider Tensions

Oil prices have risen above $100 a barrel this week, while US diesel prices crossed $6 a gallon for the first time on Friday. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking at a BRICS summit in New Delhi, said the Middle East does not need Washington to act as a "regional policeman". The Gulf Cooperation Council described the pipeline attack as a "dangerous escalation".usnews+2