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.
U.S. and Pakistani leaders forecast a Sunday signing of a long-elusive framework agreement to end fighting between the United States and Iran, but Teh...
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Fore...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 13 June, covering the latest developments you need to know....
As the 2026 World Cup kicked off on 11 June across North America, U.S. visa restrictions and travel policies have made it impossible for supporters, ...
Every June, roughly 13 million young people in China sit down at the same time to take the same test. They have been preparing for it, in many cases, ...
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 13 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
As the 2026 World Cup kicked off on 11 June across North America, U.S. visa restrictions and travel policies have made it impossible for supporters, football officials and even a FIFA-appointed referee to attend. It's raised a lot of questions about access to such a high-profile global event.
Every June, roughly 13 million young people in China sit down at the same time to take the same test. They have been preparing for it, in many cases, since primary school. Their families have rearranged their lives around it.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
SpaceX made a historic entrance into the Nasdaq on Friday, surging over 20% in its first day of trading and lifting its valuation to more than $2 trillion. Investors flocked to the world’s largest IPO, betting on Elon Musk’s sprawling empire spanning rockets, AI and beyond.
Armenia has every right to choose Europe. But Europe’s support for Armenia’s direction should not become automatic approval of its political process.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
Japan’s birth rate and fertility levels have fallen to their lowest levels on record, highlighting the country’s worsening demographic crisis as fewer people marry and have children.
Uzbekistan will launch a new digital financial platform from 1 July aimed at simplifying access to finance for entrepreneurs, as part of broader efforts to support small businesses, encourage innovation and accelerate private sector development.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
The global race to develop quantum computing is accelerating, with governments and technology firms investing heavily in what is expected to become a major new computing era.
Japan’s birth rate and fertility levels have fallen to their lowest levels on record, highlighting the country’s worsening demographic crisis as fewer people marry and have children.
Iran said no final decision has been made on a proposed agreement with Washington, despite suggestions from U.S. President Donald Trump that a deal could soon be signed in a European capital.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment