By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Saudi state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco has temporarily shut down operations at its Ras Tanura oil refinery (the kingdom’s largest and one of the world’s most important oil hubs) after a drone strike attributed to Iran’s retaliatory offensive amid the widening 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis. Ras Tanura, located near Dammam on Saudi Arabia’s Persian Gulf coast and handling roughly 550 000 barrels per day, was taken offline on Monday, 2 March 2026, as a precaution following fire outbreaks triggered by falling debris from intercepted drones.
The attack came during a series of Iranian drone and missile strikes across the Gulf, part of Tehran’s response to sustained U.S. and Israeli military action against Iranian targets. Saudi air defences intercepted several unmanned aerial vehicles, but debris sparked fires at the facility, prompting the shutdown to protect personnel and infrastructure.
Global oil markets reacted swiftly, with Brent crude climbing sharply amid concerns over supply disruptions. Analysts warn that prolonged instability in the Gulf could push energy prices higher and strain global supply chains, given the strategic nature of the Ras Tanura export terminal.
Saudi and international authorities continue to assess damage and security risks as geopolitical tensions escalate across the Middle East.
Leave a Reply