Saudi Arabia uses its East-West pipeline to maintain oil exports amid Strait of Hormuz closure, sustaining half of pre-crisis levels.

In response to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia has activated its East-West pipeline to reroute oil exports to Yanbu on the Red Sea, maintaining daily exports at 3.6–4.0 million barrels—about half of pre-crisis levels. The 1,200-kilometer pipeline, built during the Iran-Iraq war, has helped stabilize global markets despite Iranian attacks on Yanbu facilities and increased shipping risks. While the route provides a critical alternative, it cannot fully replace Hormuz’s capacity, and ongoing threats may sustain high oil prices and geopolitical risk. The crisis is spurring regional efforts to diversify export infrastructure.