Attacks on a major Saudi oil pipeline were launched from Iraqi territory, the Iraqi government said on Saturday, the 12th. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered an investigation into the command of operations in the Maysan province and dismissed its commander after authorities determined that attacks targeting Saudi Arabia were launched from a location in the province.
Saudi Arabia closed the important cross-border oil pipeline this Friday, the 11th, saying it was a “precautionary measure.” The Saudi Foreign Ministry blamed the attacks on several drones that came from Iraq and, in a statement, said the kingdom would not retaliate to give the Iraqi government “an opportunity to take the necessary measures.”
Questioned by reporters whether he thought Iran was behind the attack on the Saudi pipeline, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, said: “Well, I think they are. Probably they are. You know, they are on their toes now. But I think they are.”
Trump also said that his administration had “discussions” with the Houthis, although he did not provide details about when those talks took place. “The Houthis called us, and they do not want to fight us,” Trump said. “They would much rather not have us involved, and they are letting most ships pass,” he added.
The East-West pipeline has been vital to Saudi Arabia’s continued oil exports in the months since Iran’s war disrupted transport through the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, today Iraq closed two key border crossings with Iran, interrupting all passenger and commercial traffic until further notice.
Iraq closes two border crossings with Iran
In a move possibly linked to the investigation into the attack on the Saudi pipeline, Iraq closed two key border crossings with Iran, Iraqi state news agency reported today. The news agency said Iraqi officials were at the border, investigating prior “violations and infractions” at the crossings.
The vice-governor of Khuzestan Province, in southwest Iran, Valiollah Hayati, said that Shalamcheh and Chazabeh were the two crossings closed. They are among the main official border crossings between Iran and Iraq.
Iranian state media said the measure would halt all passenger and commercial traffic through the two crossings until further notice. Saudi Arabia and the United States bombarded Iran-backed militias in Iraq in July, after blaming them for drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities that had been claimed by the Houthis.
Regional authorities told the Associated Press that the Houthis helped the Iraqi militias plan and carry out the attacks.
*Content translated with the aid of Artificial Intelligence, reviewed and edited by the Editorial Desk of the Broadcast, real-time news system of Grupo Estado
