Shut Off

Saudi Arabia stoppered its East-West oil pipeline as a “precautionary measure” on Friday, following an Iraq-based drone attack.

The 745-mile pipeline spans nearly the width of Saudi Arabia and allows the country’s oil to bypass the Strait of Hormuz (see map). Its closure comes as Iran-backed Houthi rebels (currently feuding with Saudi-backed Yemen) have been seizing oil-shipping checkpoints along Yemen’s Red Sea coastline.

All this comes amid record-high oil prices: diesel topped $6/gallon for the first time ever in the U.S. last week.

Iraq confirmed the strike came from its territory but denied ordering the attack, saying it had fired a military commander and was investigating. President Trump said Iran was “probably” responsible for the strike, which Tehran denies, saying it’s “not at war” with Saudi Arabia.

__

Verse to consider when a conflict escalates in your own home… “Seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry for help.”
Psalm 34:14–15 (CSB) (read full passage)