Trump Blames Iran for Saudi Pipeline Drone Strike Amid Growing Middle East Tensions

Speaking to reporters in Dublin on Saturday, former President Donald Trump didn’t mince words. When asked whether Iran was behind the recent drone strike that crippled Saudi Arabia’s East‑West oil pipeline, he answered, “I think they are, probably they are.” The off‑the‑cuff comment reflected growing U.S. concern over a spate of attacks on critical energy infrastructure across West Asia.

The Saudi ministry confirmed that drones launched from Iraq had hit the pipeline on Friday, prompting Riyadh to shut the conduit that shuttles crude from the inland hub of Abqaiq to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. The line, long prized for letting Saudi oil bypass the volatile Strait of Hormuz, now sits idle, adding fresh pressure to already tight global oil markets.

Trump told the press corps that he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – whom he described as a “good friend” – about the incident. The conversation, he said, underscored a shared worry: the more the region destabilises, the harder it becomes to keep oil flowing smoothly.

Meanwhile, Tehran’s foreign ministry fired back. Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei posted on X that the United States was trying to justify an “unlawful war” against Iran, accusing Washington of “contradictions” in its rhetoric about terrorism and legitimate violence. The diplomatic volley highlighted how quickly narratives can shift after a single strike.

Adding another layer, Trump noted that Yemen’s Iran‑aligned Houthis had reached out to his administration, saying they preferred to keep the United States out of the fighting. “They would much prefer not having us involved,” he said, while also acknowledging that the Houthis were still allowing most commercial ships to pass through the Hormuz corridor.

When pressed about the future of shipping through the narrow strait, Trump sounded optimistic, assuring reporters that “everything will work out just fine” and that the U.S. could help keep vital maritime traffic moving.

The incident comes at a time when both the Saudi and Iranian leadership are jockeying for influence, and the spectre of more drone attacks looms large. Analysts warn that any prolonged disruption of the East‑West pipeline could ripple through oil prices worldwide, especially if the Strait of Hormuz sees heightened naval activity.

For now, Riyadh has opted not to retaliate immediately, citing a request from the Iraqi prime minister to avoid escalation. The decision, while cautious, leaves the region teetering on a knife‑edge, with the world watching to see who will step forward next.