Iraq probes drone strikes on Saudi oil pipeline and closes three crossings to Iran
Iraq has launched an investigation after drone attacks on Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline were said to have been launched from Iraqi territory. The incident has also led Baghdad to temporarily close three border crossings with Iran while security forces search for those responsible. Officials said the closures were intended to prevent suspects from fleeing across the border.
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An Iraqi security source said the government shut the Shalamcheh crossing in Basra province, al-Shib in Maysan province and Mandali in Diyala province. A search operation was also under way in the al-Tayyib border area of southeastern Maysan after drone launchers were discovered there. Iraq's prime minister approved a request from Iran for a joint investigation into the discovery of drone launch platforms near the border, according to a statement from the spokesman for the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi armed forces.
The prime minister's office said the attack on the pipeline was launched from Maysan province, and the military commander there was dismissed. The strike on the East-West oil pipeline took place on Thursday, and Saudi Arabia said the following day that it was temporarily suspending the route as a precautionary measure. On Friday, Riyadh said the drones had been launched from Iraq.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq said in a statement that the attack was "an honour that we do not claim." The case matters because the pipeline is a major part of Saudi Arabia's oil export infrastructure, and any disruption raises immediate concerns for energy security. It also highlights the challenge facing Iraq as it tries to control armed activity in areas near the Iranian border. The involvement of a cross-border investigation suggests the incident is being treated not only as a security breach but also as a diplomatic issue between Baghdad and Tehran.
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Iran's influence in Iraq, including over armed groups, has long shaped regional security concerns, and Saudi Arabia has previously accused Iran-linked groups in Iraq of targeting its oil infrastructure. The latest allegations have again drawn attention to the vulnerability of energy facilities in the Gulf and the wider risk of attacks being carried out from territory where state control is contested. The temporary closure of crossings also shows how quickly a security incident can affect civilian movement and border trade.
What remains unclear is who launched the drones and whether the launch sites found in Maysan are directly linked to the attack on the pipeline. Iraqi authorities have not yet released details on how many launch platforms were found or whether any arrests have been made. The next developments to watch are the outcome of the joint investigation, any reopening of the crossings, and whether Saudi Arabia provides further information on the attack.
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