Saudi Aramco's headquarters in Dhahran was hit in what the Financial Times describes as a suspected Houthi strike, adding to a week of attacks on Saudi Arabia. Brent crude traded at $106.88 in Asian trading on Wednesday, while oil infrastructure across the kingdom has come under attack.
Houthi rebels appear to have attacked Aramco's Dhahran headquarters, where a limited fire broke out and Saudi authorities reported no casualties. The Iran-backed group launched missile and drone attacks at several Saudi cities, and the attacks continued into Wednesday. Aramco declined to comment.
Brent crude was up 1.1% in Asian trading on Wednesday at $106.88, according to the FT. Bloomberg reported that the benchmark has traded at or above $100 a barrel for more than a month, adding to global inflation pressure.
Oil sites under repeated fire
One person with direct knowledge told the FT the strike caused extensive damage to multiple floors of Aramco's Tower Administration Building. The building houses the Oil Supply Planning and Scheduling department, the FT said.
Other oil assets have also been targeted. A refinery at Jazan has been shut since an earlier attack, and a cross-country pipeline that is Aramco's main route to markets was temporarily shut last month after an attack.
The fighting has killed at least 18 people in Saudi Arabia over the past week. On Saturday, an attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport killed 13 people, the FT reported.
Riyadh and Washington respond
The coalition said it targeted a Yemen Petroleum Company fuel depot on the outskirts of Sanaa, accusing the Houthis of using civilian sites for military purposes. A Houthi spokesperson said the site did not currently hold any stocks, and warned the group could target Aramco's facilities.
The Saudi cabinet said the Houthi militia "will face the consequences of its crimes", according to the FT.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said the Houthis were probably acting at the behest of Iran and purposefully trying to drive up oil prices, probably before the US elections. Bloomberg reported that Iran is escalating attacks on ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz, potentially threatening a recovery in oil supplies.
Sources: Rigzone (Bloomberg), Financial Times
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