Tuesday 29 September 2026 07:30 UTC
Saudi Arabia Restarts Oil Exports Through East-West Pipeline
Saudi Arabia resumed oil exports through its East-West Pipeline after repairing damage from drone strikes earlier in September. Aramco restarted tanker loading at Yanbu, with the pipeline carrying about 3.5 million barrels a day. This restores a major export route that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. A Houthi military source separately threatened Saudi bridges, including in Riyadh, in response to Saudi strikes on bridges in Yemen.
US-Iran talks produced conflicting accounts. Al Hadath said Iran had agreed to suspend uranium enrichment in return for sanctions relief, but Donald Trump said he had offered “nothing”. A US official described indirect talks as positive, while other accounts said New York negotiations made limited progress and left nuclear concessions and Hormuz unresolved. Iranian officials saw little chance of an agreement before the November 3 US midterm elections. Lower expectations helped push Brent crude above $106 a barrel.
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Russian strikes hit the National Academy of Sciences, a medical centre, homes, a pharmaceutical company and petrol stations in Kyiv. Ukraine reported one person killed and six injured, including three children. Academy staff escaped through windows as rescuers searched the burning building. Civilian and communications sites were also hit elsewhere, including a business centre in Dnipro. The Kremlin called the attacks retaliation for recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian commercial and energy facilities.
British police released on bail the five men arrested near RAF Fairford on suspicion of explosives possession and preparation of terrorism. Officers had intercepted three suspicious vehicles travelling towards the US-used airbase. The investigation remains open.