Major Saudi refinery, Iraqi Kurdish and Israeli oil, gas fields shut amid Mideast strikes
Saudi Arabia's biggest domestic oil refinery was shut down after a drone strike, as conflicts in the Middle East led to precautionary closures of oil and gas facilities in Iraq and Israel. Oil prices surged due to disruptions affecting global supply through key shipping routes.
Smoke billows from Saudi Aramco's Ras Tanura oil refineryThe shutdown of Ras Tanura, which handles a significant portion of Saudi crude exports, added to supply anxieties. Drones were intercepted at the facility, with no injuries reported. Nearby oil fields in Iraqi Kurdistan and Israeli gas fields also suspended operations due to the conflict.
Impact on global energy marketsOil prices rose sharply after the attacks, with benchmark crude prices hitting levels not seen since early 2025. The shutdown of major infrastructure in the region has severely strained global supply chains, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz.