Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Trump Says Iran Probably Behind Attack on Vital Saudi Pipeline
Several drones attacked an important oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi officials said the drones were launched from Iraq.
The attack damaged facilities and injured people.
Pipeline operations were stopped temporarily, with one report saying this was done as a precaution.
President Donald Trump said Iran was probably responsible.
Saudi authorities described where the drones came from but did not directly assign blame to Iran in these reports.
The pipeline helps Saudi Arabia move oil to the Red Sea without using the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump also said Yemen’s Houthi rebels wanted the United States to stay out of the conflict and were letting most ships pass.
Donald Trump said Iran was probably responsible for 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 attack caused injuries and facility damage, while pipeline operations were halted temporarily or shut as a precaution.
The pipeline runs from Abqaiq near the Gulf coast to Yanbu on the Red Sea.
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 Iran-aligned Houthi rebels.
- What
- Several drones attacked Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline; Trump said Iran was probably responsible, while Saudi authorities said the drones were launched from Iraq.
- When
- The drones reportedly struck on Thursday, and Trump commented on the attack on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
- Where
- Pipeline facilities in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh and Medina regions were targeted; the drones were reported to have been launched from Iraq.
- Why
- The articles do not establish a confirmed motive. 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 responsible for the drone attack.
Saudi Authorities’ Account
Saudi authorities said several drones launched from Iraq carried out the strike, but the reports do not say that Saudi officials directly blamed Iran.
Pipeline shutdown
Trump’s Attribution
One account said the attack prompted a temporary halt in pipeline operations.
Saudi Authorities’ Account
Another account said the energy ministry shut the pipeline as a precaution after the attack.
- 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 attack caused injuries and facility damage; the pipeline was halted temporarily or shut as a precaution.
- Pipeline route
- The East-West oil pipeline runs from Abqaiq near Saudi Arabia’s Gulf coast to Yanbu on the Red Sea.
- Strategic role
- The pipeline enables Saudi Arabia to transport and export crude 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.
