According to reports citing industry sources, crude oil is currently being pumped at a gradual pace through the cross-country line, which transports oil across the Arabian Peninsula to the Red Sea port of Yanbu for export to Asian markets. Pumping operations were halted on September 13 following a drone strike launched by Iraqi armed groups amid heightened regional tensions involving Yemeni Houthi forces. The East-West pipeline serves as a critical bypass route for Saudi crude, particularly following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in March due to ongoing conflicts involving the US, Israel, and Iran. During the temporary shutdown, Saudi Arabia maintained export flows by deploying seven supertankers carrying 14 million barrels of crude via Gulf sea routes.