This article was originally published by Tyler Durden at ZeroHedge under the title: Saudi Arabia’s Oil Pipeline To Red Sea Hit By Drone Attack Just As Hegseth Declares ‘Overwhelming Victory’ Against Iran.
Summary:
- The Hegseth/Caine presser, as expected, declared ‘victory’ in Iran while Gen. Caine emphasized the ceasefire is a “pause,” but US forces remain “ready to resume combat.“ Hegseth says, “The military will be hanging around in Iran, won’t go anywhere, and will make sure Iran complies.
- Caine hails that the US has destroyed Iran’s defense-industrial base, including over 80% of missile facilities gone, and its navy lies at the “bottom of the Arabian Sea”. It’s clear that after six weeks, the Pentagon is trying to put a bow on Operation Epic Fury.
- Iran, meanwhile, demands stiff fees for ships passing through Hormuz during the ceasefire, and says it holds the final authority on which vessels get to pass. Tehran leaders have asserted ‘victory’ for Iran, amid positive international reaction to the ceasefire.
- Attacks on Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia continued on Wednesday, hours after the ceasefire announcement. Also, there has yet to be any significant change in navigation traffic in the Strait of Hormuz today, per Bloomberg satellite data.
- Saudi Arabia’s vital East-West oil pipeline carrying crude from the Gulf to the Red Sea for export has been attacked at a pumping station, and oil prices rise on the news.
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Saudi Aramco Export Pipeline To Red Sea Struck
A huge, and not very ‘ceasefirey’ development in Saudi Arabia, per the FT (just as Hegseth was speaking): “A pumping station was hit at 1 p.m. local time, the people told FT. The attack was carried out by a drone, and damage was being assessed, one of the people told FT Saudi Aramco, which owns and operates the pipeline.” FT continues, “The people said a pumping station, one of several along the 1,200km pipeline that has become an economic lifeline for the kingdom since the near closure of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, was hit at about 1 pm local time on Wednesday.”
One Gulf-based representative and analyst complains, “For a ceasefire, the fire does not seem to be ceasing. The UAE and Kuwait are under attack, and Iran says it is under attack too. Beyond the ceasefire itself, the bigger question is that the plan still looks unclear when it comes to what follows…”
The development pushed oil slightly up…
Pentagon Tries to put a Bow on Operation Epic Fury: ‘Overwhelming Victory’
Hegseth in his Pentagon press briefing called the ceasefire an “overwhelming victory” for the United States and stated the military “stands ready” to ensure Iran complies with the agreement. He said US forces will still be “hanging around” the region, and further that Iran’s nuclear “dust” is being monitored, buried under the rubble, and that eventually the US will either take the enriched uranium or else it will be handed over. “Iran begged for a ceasefire,” Hegseth declared.
“We stand ready in the background to ensure Iran upholds every reasonable term,” Hegseth said. Also, Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Caine stated that all US objectives in Iran have been achieved.
He claimed that the US has destroyed Iran’s defense-industrial base, including over 80% of missile facilities gone, and its navy lies at the “bottom of the Arabian Sea”. It’s clear that after six weeks, the Pentagon is trying to put a bow on Operation Epic Fury.
During the Q&A, there was a question – largely dodged by Hegseth – centered on wither the US has achieved “strategic” victory vs. merely tactical victory. That ultimately is the question.
Also, is there really ceasefire on the ground? But this is merely day one:
But Iran also sees this as a victory
The United States and Iran have announced a two-week suspension of all attacks, and Tehran reportedly agreed to allow safe transit of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. It all started with President Trump seizing on the last-minute olive branch plan offered by Pakistan’s prime minister, which urged a two-week extension of the US deadline before massive obliteration bombings began, and in return, Iran would agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has essentially declared victory and stated that the upcoming talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Friday do not guarantee an end to the war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given supportive lip service to the US decision but stated that Lebanon is excluded from the two-week ceasefire.
Latest from Trump on Truth Social:
Oil prices dropped rapidly after Trump announced the pause, with Brent crude trading just below $95 per barrel. Qatar’s Cabinet welcomed the US-Iran ceasefire brokered by Pakistan, stating it emphasizes “the necessity of immediately halting all hostile actions and practices that undermine regional stability, respect for state sovereignty, and the assurance of security for maritime passages, freedom of navigation, and international trade.”
Iran, meanwhile, is demanding stiff fees for ships passing through Hormuz during the ceasefire, and says it holds the final authority on which vessels get to pass. So now, in essence… stability in global energy flows depends on accommodating Iran, AND it will likely get sanctions relief, per the deal on the table.
Iranian state media has featured celebratory scenes in the streets:
Ceasefire Hailed Internationally
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on X that he held a “warm, substantive” conversation with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian. “I conveyed my deep appreciation for the wisdom and sagacity of the Iranian leadership in accepting Pakistan’s offer to host peace talks in Islamabad later this week to work jointly for the return of peace to the region,” he said.
“President Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s participation in the upcoming negotiations and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s efforts, while conveying his best wishes for the people of Pakistan,” he added.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun welcomed the ceasefire, while Israel has instead asserted that Lebanon remains outside the agreement and continued strikes on the country.
To quote armchair war hawk Michael Weiss, A month ago, Trump demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender.” Now the U.S. claims these are a feasible starting point for negotiations…
Pope Leo XIV praised the agreement as a “sign of real hope,” stating, “I welcome with satisfaction, and as a sign of real hope, the announcement of an immediate two-week truce. Only by returning to negotiations can we reach the end of the war,” during his weekly audience at the Vatican.
The International Atomic Energy Agency welcomed the ceasefire and signaled readiness to support a diplomatic resolution. Director General Rafael Grossi stated, “IAEA DG Grossi welcomes … a return to diplomacy aimed at negotiating a settlement on key issues including Iran’s nuclear program.” It added: “The IAEA stands ready to support these efforts through its indispensable safeguards and verification role.”
Attacks Continue? Hormuz Status
However, attacks on Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait continued on Wednesday, hours after the ceasefire announcement. Also, there has yet to be any significant change in navigation traffic in the Strait of Hormuz today, per Bloomberg satellite data.
A global shipping industry group representing 130 companies and around 1,500 vessels stated that conditions in the Gulf remain unstable. CEO Knut Arild Hareide said, “We note the signals of a ceasefire, but the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains unresolved and unpredictable.”
“It is not yet clear under what conditions safe transit can be carried out. Shipowners are assessing the situation and will not resume transits until there is real security for safe passage,” Hareide added.
Will it hold?
Earlier, Denmark’s Maersk shipping company stated that the ceasefire announcement does not provide sufficient certainty to resume normal operations in the region.
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