Saudi Aramco Abqaiq oil facility fire: Riyadh blames drone attack | Today’s news
A satellite image showed smoke rising from an oil facility in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia, on July 27. The footage emerged after the Houthis announced that they had targeted several oil supply and transportation points in the kingdom.
The image could not independently confirm the cause of the smoke or the extent of the damage in the building.
The Houthis announced a new attack on Saudi oil infrastructure
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement previously claimed to have launched new attacks targeting sensitive oil supplies and transport facilities linking eastern Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea export hub of Yanbu, escalating pressure on the kingdom’s energy infrastructure despite a pause in direct fighting between the United States and Iran.
Houthi army spokesman Yahya Saree said the operation was carried out in response to what the group described as an invasion of Yemeni airspace by Saudi drones. The group did not provide details on the extent of the damage, while Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Aramco did not immediately comment on the claims.
Saudi Arabia reports capture of drones
Saudi Arabia earlier said it had intercepted drones targeting oil facilities, including sites near the capital Riyadh. Saudi authorities said the drones were launched from Iraq by armed groups backed by Iran, and Riyadh said it reserved the right to respond.
Jordan reported the downing of two drones, while Iraqi security officials said several drone strikes were reported in northern Iraq. Authorities have not determined who launched the drones.
Oil infrastructure under renewed pressure
The Houthis have increasingly focused on Saudi Arabia’s oil export network after Riyadh diverted oil supplies through the East-West pipeline to Yanbu to bypass disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Last week, the Iran-backed group threatened to block Saudi oil exports through the Red Sea, extending risks to another critical global energy corridor after months of disruption around the Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi Arabia responded by airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen and said it would continue to protect sea lanes and critical infrastructure.
US-Iran military standoff dampens oil prices
The latest Houthi claims came as the United States and Iran maintained a pause in direct military strikes after nearly two weeks of escalating conflict.
US President Donald Trump said Washington was engaged in “very deep talks with Iran” but warned he remained ready for “strong military action” if diplomacy failed.
The easing of direct hostilities helped push Brent crude prices down 6.5% to just above $90 a barrel on Monday, after briefly climbing above $100 last week during the height of the conflict.
But Iran said it had not asked to resume talks with Washington, although officials acknowledged that messages continued to be exchanged through intermediaries.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint
Iran insists it continues to control shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes, despite the current lull in fighting.
Iranian state media said six vessels attempting to pass through the waterway without Tehran’s permission were turned back on Monday, with one allegedly involved in an unspecified “incident”.
The dispute over the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the key outstanding issues between Washington and Tehran and continues to pose a risk to global energy supplies even as diplomatic efforts continue.
Read also | Middle East tensions ease as US, Iran suspend hostilities
