Saudi Aramco Q1 profits rise 25% as East-West Pipeline eases Hormuz disruption

Saudi Aramco said first-quarter profit rose 25 per cent from a year earlier. The company linked the gain to higher exports. Aramco used a pipeline route that avoids the Strait of Hormuz. Shipping there has faced disruption during the Iran war.

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Formally known as the Saudi Arabian Oil Co, the state-owned firm reported USD 32.5 billion. The result covered the quarter ending March 31. Aramco had earlier reported a 12 per cent fall in annual profits in 2025. The company released the update on Sunday.

Aramco profits rise as Strait of Hormuz shipping remains disrupted

Iran effectively seized control of the key waterway after strikes on February 28. The US and Israel carried out those attacks, according to the report. A US naval blockade imposed last month also complicates its use. Before the war, 20 per cent of traded oil moved through it daily.

The Strait of Hormuz also carried large volumes of natural gas and fertiliser. Other petroleum products also passed through the route. The shipping disruption removed capacity that pipelines cannot fully replace. The report described the wider situation as a global energy shock.

Aramco profits supported by East-West Pipeline capacity, says CEO

"Aramcos first-quarter performance reflects strong resilience and operational flexibility in a complex geopolitical environment,\" Aramco President and CEO Amin H Nasser said in a statement. Nasser said the East-West Pipeline now runs at maximum capacity. The line crosses Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea. It can carry 7 million barrels daily.

Nasser said the pipeline helps soften the impact of the energy shock. Nasser also said it offers relief to customers. Still, the route does not match the scale of lost sea shipments. Aramco has used domestic infrastructure to keep exports moving. The company also relied on its global network.

\"Recent events have clearly demonstrated the vital contribution of oil and gas to energy security and the global economy, and are a stark reminder that reliable energy supply is critical,\" Nasser said in a statement. Aramco said it remained focused on strategic priorities. The company said it aimed to manage disruption despite the headwinds.

With inputs from PTI