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From Yanbu to Sohar: Tracking Saudi Arabia's alternative oil routes
Did Iran capture a US submarine? Saudi Arabia's oil exports took another blow last week when drone attacks knocked out part of the country's East-West pipeline, halting oil flow and removing 4-5 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil from global supply. It is unclear how long repairs will take, although The Associated Press estimates three to five weeks, citing two regional officials. The 1,200km (746-mile) pipeline connects the kingdom's main oil-producing fields in the east of the country with Yanbu port on the Red Sea coast in the west, allowing Saudi crude to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, which has largely remained closed since the United States-Israel war on Iran began on February 28. As the world's second-largest oil producer, Saudi Arabia's ability to keep crude flowing has significant consequences for global energy markets.
Why an escalating Saudi oil crisis could drive up prices everywhere
Global energy prices have spiked alarmingly again, driven largely in recent days by the escalating conflict between Yemen's Houthis and Saudi Arabia causing chaos for the oil industry. Petrol and diesel costs have risen rapidly in most countries while the wholesale price of natural gas - used for heating homes and generating electricity - has almost doubled in the UK and Europe since July. There are growing concerns of another inflationary shock on the world economy, which could cause interest rates to rise, increase mortgage costs and raise the price of almost everything in the shops including food. So what is behind this latest surge - and what are the implications for the world economy? The global oil price is currently above $108 (ยฃ80) per barrel, up from $70 (ยฃ52) in June 2026 - a roughly 50% increase.
What Is the Status of the U.S.-Iran Peace Talks? Here's What Both Sides Are Saying
Despite pressure mounting for a clear way out of the war, meaningful negotiations between the U.S. and Iran remain stalled. Hereโs what each side has said regarding the status of peace talks, and how experts predict Iranian officials could use the Houthisโ disruption in the Red Sea to their benefit.
Saudi Arabia shuts critical oil pipeline after drone attack: What it means
Did Iran capture a US submarine? Saudi Arabia has temporarily closed its critical East-West oil pipeline, a 1,200km (746-mile) conduit stretching across the Arabian Peninsula, after it was attacked by drones on Friday. The drones were reported to have been launched from Iraq, where an investigation is under way. No group has claimed responsibility for the strikes so far. It is understood that equipment used to operate the pipeline was also hit.
Has Iran captured an unmanned US submarine? What we know
What is Iran's Pickaxe Mountain? Did Iran capture a US submarine? Share Did Iran capture a US submarine? Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its naval forces have captured an unmanned United States submarine near the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran and Washington continue to exchange tit-for-tat attacks on ships to exert control over the crucial waterway that connects the Gulf and the Arabian Sea. Iranian state media identified the vessel as a Dive-LD - an autonomous underwater vehicle built by California-based defence firm Anduril Industries.