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Trump Says Iran Probably Behind Saudi Pipeline Drone Attack
A group of drones attacked an important oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi officials said the drones came from Iraq and damaged facilities.
They also said some people were injured and pipeline operations stopped temporarily.
The pipeline helps Saudi Arabia move oil to the Red Sea without using the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump said Iran was probably responsible for the attack.
The Saudi government did not publicly make the same direct accusation in the report.
Trump said he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
He also said Yemen’s Houthi rebels did not want the United States to join the conflict directly.
The Houthis are letting most ships pass, according to Trump.
Donald Trump said Iran was probably behind a drone attack targeting Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline.
Saudi authorities said several drones launched from Iraq struck pipeline facilities in the Riyadh and Medina regions.
The attacks temporarily halted pipeline operations, caused facility damage and injured people, according to Saudi officials.
The pipeline runs from Abqaiq near the Gulf coast to Yanbu on the Red Sea, helping Saudi Arabia export oil without using the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said Iran-aligned Houthi rebels preferred that the United States stay out of the conflict and were allowing most ships to pass.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, Saudi authorities, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels.
- What
- A drone attack targeted Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline; Trump said Iran was probably behind it, while Saudi officials said the drones were launched from Iraq.
- Where
- The targeted pipeline facilities were in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh and Medina regions; the drones were reported as launched from Iraq.
- When
- The attack was reported by Saudi authorities on Friday, and Trump commented on it on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
- Why
- The articles do not establish a confirmed motive for the attack; the pipeline is strategically important because it allows Saudi Arabia to transport crude without relying on the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump’s Attribution
Saudi Authorities’ Account
Who was responsible?
Trump’s Attribution
Trump said Iran was probably behind the aerial strike.
Saudi Authorities’ Account
Saudi authorities reported that several drones launched from Iraq carried out the attack, without the report stating that they directly blamed Iran.
United States involvement
Trump’s Attribution
Trump said Yemen’s Houthi rebels did not want Washington directly involved in the conflict.
Saudi Authorities’ Account
The report does not provide a separate Houthi statement or an opposing US policy position.
Key facts
- Suspected responsibility
- Donald Trump said Iran was probably behind the attack.
- Saudi account
- Saudi authorities said several drones launched from Iraq struck the pipeline.
- Reported effects
- The strikes caused injuries, damaged facilities and temporarily halted operations.
- Pipeline route
- The East-West pipeline runs from Abqaiq near the Gulf coast to Yanbu on the Red Sea.
- Strategic role
- It allows Saudi Arabia to move crude for export without relying on the Strait of Hormuz.
- Trump-Saudi contact
- Trump said he spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
- Houthi position
- Trump said the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels preferred that Washington not become directly involved and were letting most ships pass.
Quotes
Donald Trump
US president who commented on the suspected responsibility for the Saudi pipeline attack
“They would much prefer not having us involved, and they’re letting most ships go through”
news18.com
“I think they are, probably they are”
news18.com
Sources
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