Drone attack from Iraq forces Saudi Arabia to close major oil pipeline

Drones from Iraqi territory hit Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline on Thursday, damaging the infrastructure and injuring people. Saudi Arabia shut the pipeline down on Friday as a precaution.

The pipeline is 1,200 kilometres long and carries around four to five percent of the world's oil supply. It is an important route because it allows Saudi Arabia to export oil without using the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has threatened to block.

Iraq's government confirmed the attack came from its territory. It dismissed two senior officials and opened an investigation. A group of Iran-backed militias in Iraq said it was not responsible.