Updated

Saudi Arabia's 1,200km East-West pipeline, a critical artery for oil exports that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, has been temporarily closed, affecting up to 5 percent of global oil supply. The pipeline is considered strategically vital because it allows Saudi crude to reach the Red Sea without transiting the contested strait. The disruption has contributed to a sharp rise in oil prices, with Brent crude climbing above $100 a barrel as tensions from the recent Iran war continue to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about broader impacts on global energy markets.