Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Saudi Aramco closed its Ras Tanura refinery on Monday following an Iranian drone strike, an industry source told Reuters as Tehran retaliated across the Gulf after a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iranian targets over the weekend.
Ras Tanura, on the kingdom’s eastern coast along the Gulf, is one of the largest refining complexes in the Middle East. It can process about 550,000 barrels of crude oil a day and also functions as a key export terminal for Saudi oil.
Reports said the strike sparked a fire at the site, with videos circulating online appearing to show smoke rising from the facility. Workers at Aramco installations were evacuated as a precaution amid fears of further attacks.
Oil markets reacted sharply. Brent crude climbed by about 10% on Monday as tensions escalated across the region.
Saudi officials said the situation at Ras Tanura had been brought under control. The defence ministry said two drones were intercepted, with falling debris causing a limited blaze. No injuries were reported.
Some processing units were taken offline as a safety measure, but supplies to domestic fuel markets have not been disrupted, according to the Saudi state news agency, which cited an energy ministry official. Aramco did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The closure is expected to heighten concerns over global supply, particularly as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz - a route that carries roughly a fifth of the world’s oil consumption - has slowed dramatically following attacks on vessels nearby.
Iranian strikes have reportedly hit targets across the Gulf, including in the United Arab Emirates and Oman, disrupting key shipping hubs. Several countries in the region, among them Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait, have also been affected.
The escalation follows strikes carried out by the U.S. and Israel on Iran on Saturday, which reportedly killed several senior figures.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected a German proposal to grant Ukraine “associate” membe...
The United States is stepping up its efforts to rebuild ties with India, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio using his visit to New Delhi to promot...
An interactive map showcasing the Christian heritage of Caucasian Albania in Garabagh was presented in...
The 13th edition of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku showed Azerbaijan’s “meaningful contribution to multilateralism,” ...
The nomination of Russian-Armenian businessman Ruben Vardanyan for the 2026 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize has triggered criticism....
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected a German proposal to grant Ukraine “associate” membership of the European Union, warning it would leave Kyiv without a meaningful voice in the bloc.
An interactive map showcasing the Christian heritage of Caucasian Albania in Garabagh was presented in London this week, highlighting Azerbaijan’s efforts to preserve and promote the religious and cultural legacy of the region.
The 13th edition of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku showed Azerbaijan’s “meaningful contribution to multilateralism,” the country’s President Ilham Aliyev has said.
The nomination of Russian-Armenian businessman Ruben Vardanyan for the 2026 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize has triggered criticism.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said Belarus will not be dragged into the war in Ukraine, while also stressing that Minsk and Moscow would jointly respond to any aggression against them.
Fighting in the Russia–Ukraine war has intensified sharply, with both sides launching significant strikes far beyond the front lines as the conflict enters its 1,549th day.
As the 13th edition of the World Urban Forum ended, Azerbaijan's Pavilion showcased reconstruction efforts in its liberated territories and foregrounded the importance of mine removal in resettlement efforts.
A French appeals court has found Airbus and Air France guilty of corporate manslaughter over the 2009 Rio–Paris crash, marking a major development in a case that has stretched on for 17 years.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 22nd May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Archaeologists in Kyrgyzstan’s Naryn region are uncovering medieval bathhouses, mausoleums and ancient Silk Road settlements, while warning that many historical sites are rapidly deteriorating because of weather and erosion.
An interactive map showcasing the Christian heritage of Caucasian Albania in Garabagh was presented in London this week, highlighting Azerbaijan’s efforts to preserve and promote the religious and cultural legacy of the region.
The nomination of Russian-Armenian businessman Ruben Vardanyan for the 2026 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize has triggered criticism.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday (22 May) on the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in the Swedish city of Helsingborg.
Traditional pottery from Gijduvan has officially received geographical indication status in Uzbekistan, recognising the centuries-old craft as a product closely linked to its region of origin and cultural heritage.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment