[U.S. Officials Confirm Attack on Saudi Oil Pipeline System, Some Pump Stations Damaged] BlockBeats reports that on September 12, CNN, citing two U.S. officials, reported that Saudi Arabia's critical East-West oil pipeline system was attacked by projectiles on Thursday local time. Preliminary analysis indicates that pump stations near the pipeline were struck. Satellite images show one pump station suffered extensive fire damage, while another experienced a smaller fire with thick smoke rising. It is currently unclear who is responsible for the attack, whether the pipeline itself was damaged, or how long repairs will take. A U.S. official stated that the drones used in the attack originated from the direction of Iraq. The importance of Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline has increased since the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran conflict. With Iran effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia has rerouted approximately 5 million barrels per day of crude oil, originally destined for Persian Gulf tankers, through this pipeline to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Meanwhile, the Houthi forces have declared they will target any Saudi ships attempting to pass through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, putting this alternative oil export route at risk as well.