Iraq confirmed Saturday that attacks on a major Saudi oil pipeline were launched from Iraqi territory and pledged a further investigation. Saudi Arabia shut the East-West pipeline on Friday as a “precautionary measure,” halting a route that has become vital to its oil exports since the Iran war disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered an investigation into the operations command in Maysan province and dismissed its commander after Iraqi authorities determined that the attacks originated from a site in the province, the Iraqi government said. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said several drones came from Iraq and stated that the kingdom would not retaliate, giving the Iraqi government “an opportunity to take the necessary measures.”
The pipeline crosses Saudi Arabia to a Red Sea export port. According to the International Energy Agency, Saudi oil exports through the port at the pipeline’s end have more than doubled since the Iran war began, underscoring the route’s increased importance while traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran was “probably” behind the pipeline attack when questioned by reporters in Dublin, but the supplied material provided no evidence supporting that assessment. Trump also said his administration had held discussions with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, without specifying when the contacts occurred. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for details about the timing.
Regional shipping concerns also intensified after the Houthis seized a key island and captured a Red Sea port. The developments raised fears of further disruption to international shipping and higher oil and gas prices, although no projected price increases were provided.
Separately, Iraq closed two key border crossings with Iran, stopping passenger and commercial traffic until further notice, according to Iran’s state-run media. The closure added another constraint on regional movement as Iraqi authorities investigated the launch site and Saudi Arabia kept the pipeline offline.