Strike on the oil giant: Shahedin attack on Aramco refinery reported
Reports of an attack by Iranian Shahed drones on a strategic facility appear on social media Saudi Aramco in Saudi Arabia.
According to unconfirmed reports, an oil refinery complex in Ras Tannur, one of the largest oil hubs in the world, was hit.
What we know so far
Information about the strike is currently being spread mainly through the Internet and eyewitness videos. There has been no official confirmation of the extent of the damage or the shutdown of the plant.
The footage shows thick smoke in the area of industrial infrastructure.
Why it matters
Ras Tannurah is one of Saudi Aramco's key oil export and refining centres. The vulnerability of such facilities has long been seen by analysts as one of the main risks for global energy markets.
Any disruption to the operation of major Saudi oil hubs could quickly affect global oil and gas prices.
The context of escalation
The incident comes amid a sharp escalation between Iran, the US and Israel, which has already led to disruptions in shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of the world's oil flows and significant volumes of LNG.
Due to security risks, some shipowners and traders have already suspended shipping through the strait or changed their routes.
Experts warn: Further attacks on the energy infrastructure of the Middle East could trigger a new wave of turbulence in global markets.
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