Oil prices slipped about 1% as traders weighed hopes for limited supply disruption relief against ongoing Middle East tensions and attacks on pipelines in Saudi Arabia, keeping Brent near the above-$100 level.

Bloomberg reported Saudi Arabia aims to restore roughly half of the East-West pipeline’s capacity within days, with a plan to shift ship‑to‑ship transfers off Sohar, Oman to reduce disruption for Asian refiners.

Earlier in the week, prices rose to four‑month highs on reports of halted crude loadings at Yanbu and European delivery disruptions following the pipeline damage from prior attacks.

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Reuters and multiple trade sources are cited regarding export volumes and buyer origins to frame the market backdrop.

A Western diplomat highlights Beijing’s leverage to press Iran to restrain the Houthis amid ongoing tensions.

Industry chatter acknowledges the U.S. blockade’s effectiveness is complicated by vessel attrition and rising long‑term risks to transit flows.

Trump was reported to be nearing a major decision on resuming large‑scale military action against Iran and planned to meet Gulf leaders at the UN General Assembly, signaling elevated geopolitical risk.

In the broader backdrop, the United States eyed talks with Persian Gulf leaders at the UN, while lawmakers advanced a bill granting tariffs on Russian petroleum products.

Trump’s possible return to strikes drew caution from a former counterterrorism official, as regional dynamics remain volatile.

Oil trades continue via Hormuz, with ship‑to‑ship transfers off Oman and buyers including China, South Korea, India and Japan, reflecting shifting routes around disruption.