Iraq probes drone strikes on Saudi Arabia, shuts three crossings to Iran

What the report says

Iraq has opened an investigation into drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline after saying the launches came from Iraqi territory. According to Al Jazeera, the Iraqi government also temporarily shut three border crossings into Iran, citing concerns that those responsible could cross the border. The closures were reported at Shalamcheh in Basra province, al-Shib in Maysan province and Mandali in Diyala province, while security forces also sealed the al-Tayyib border area in southeastern Maysan and began a search operation.

The report said Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi dismissed the military commander in Maysan and ordered an inquiry into the province’s operations command. Iraq’s armed forces spokesman also said Baghdad approved Iran’s request for a joint investigation into the discovery of drone launch platforms near the border. The statement did not give details on the number of platforms or exactly where they were found.

Saudi Arabia said the pipeline was temporarily suspended as a precaution after the Thursday attack, and later said the drones had been launched from Iraq. No group claimed responsibility. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed fighters, denied claiming the strike. The allegations matter because the pipeline is Saudi Arabia’s key backup export route if the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted, and any prolonged shutdown could affect regional oil flows and prices. Trump, speaking separately, said Iran was probably behind the attack, but did not present evidence.