Saturday 12 September 2026 07:30 UTC
Pipeline Strikes Deepen Middle East Shipping Risks
In the 24 hours ending 12 September at 07:30 UTC, attacks further threatened oil supplies and shipping across the Middle East.
Drones launched from Iraq hit several stations on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline. The strikes shut the pipeline. Saudi Arabia said it would not retaliate for now and asked Iraq to investigate.
Iraq said the drones came from Maysan Province and dismissed the regional operations commander. It also closed the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran.
Houthi forces reached Dhubab and seized Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Government forces withdrew from the island. Saudi Arabia then struck Houthi positions around Mocha, Dhubab and Perim Island.
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Iran, Iraq and other Gulf states agreed to meet in Oman on Monday. They will discuss Hormuz security and temporary safe shipping routes. Iran warned that US military and economic pressure still threatened shipping security.
Ukrainian drones struck a factory producing Russian drones in Taganrog. Another attack hit the local airbase. A large Russian cruise missile attack struck Odesa and injured at least 12 people. One missile hit an apartment building.
US officials linked Chinese satellite images to Iran’s July attack on a US airbase in Jordan. That strike killed three US troops and wounded several others. The officials did not accuse China’s government of direct involvement. China denied the allegation.
US consumer prices rose 0.4% in August and 3.4% from one year earlier. Core prices rose 0.3% during the month and 2.4% annually. Market expectations for a September interest-rate increase rose to about 90%.
US consumer confidence fell below expectations in early September. One-year inflation expectations rose from 4.0% to 4.6%.
Average US diesel prices climbed above $6 a gallon, setting a record. California prices approached $8. Higher diesel costs could raise prices for shipping, farming and construction.
Brent crude eased to about $104 a barrel. However, oil remained on course for a weekly gain above 8%.
Anthropic, an artificial intelligence company, found a Yemeni group using Claude for missile development. The work included guidance and navigation software. Anthropic found no evidence that the project produced an operational weapon.
The United States and Mexico sought a temporary trade deal before November’s elections. Mexico wanted relief from steel and car tariffs. Washington wanted more American content in Mexican cars and tighter checks on Chinese investment.
British lawmakers rejected another attempt to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales.
France cut its 2026 growth forecast to 0.5%. It expects growth of 1% in 2027.
Russia and India’s central banks began developing a digital currency payment system for bilateral trade. The system could reduce their reliance on the SWIFT international banking network.