• Saudi Arabia suspends its East-West oil pipeline as a precaution following multiple drone attacks launched from Iraq, while holding off on immediate retaliation to give Iraqi authorities time to prevent future strikes.

Iraq orders closure of border crossing with Iran as a precautionary measure

Baghdad has ordered the closure of the Shalamcheh border crossing between Iraq and Iran, according to a Reuters report.

Two security sources quoted by Reuters said Iraq had closed the crossing as a precautionary measure following a drone attack launched from Iraq targeting Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline.

The Shalamcheh border crossing is a major land route between Iran and Iraq. A United States missile strike hit the border in July 2026, killing two people and injuring 11 others.

Muslim World League ‘strongly condemns’ attack on East-West pipeline

The Muslim World League has “strongly condemned” the drone attacks originating from Iraq on the East-West pipeline in Saudi Arabia.

In a statement, the international nongovernmental organization quoted Secretary-General Mohammed bin Abdulkarim al-Issa as saying the attacks “violate all religious values, international and humanitarian laws and norms”.

The General Secretariat, based in Mecca, “stressed full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in all measures it takes to deter aggressors, preserve its security and sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents on its lands”.

Saudi Arabia suspends crucial East-West pipeline bypassing Hormuz following attacks

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Energy says it is suspending its only route to export oil that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz after “multiple targeting incidents”.

In a post on X, the ministry said it was enforcing a “precautionary suspension” of the East-West pipeline.

Satellite imagery suggests that the pipeline was targeted by the Houthis during their lightning offensive to seize complete control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coastline.

Bahrain condemns drone attack on Saudi East-West oil pipeline

Bahrain has condemned a drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, saying the drones were launched from Iraqi territory.

In a statement carried by the Bahrain News Agency, the Foreign Ministry said the attack caused injuries and material damage and described it as a “blatant violation” of international law, the UN Charter and principles of good neighborliness.

The ministry said Bahrain stood in full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and supported its right to take measures to protect its sovereignty, security and infrastructure.

It also stressed that no country’s territory should be used as a launching point for attacks on neighboring states, while expressing support for Iraqi efforts to prevent similar attacks from recurring.

‘Heavily armed forces on the streets of Maysan’ in Iraq after pipeline strikes

On the operational side, Iraqi Prime Minister al-Zaidi immediately announced an investigative committee into the Maysan operational command – that’s the province in the south where the attacks on Saudi Arabia’s pipeline originated.

He’s dismissed the operational commander there and border crossings have been closed, perhaps in a bid to obstruct any movement of potential perpetrators going to Iran.

There are heavily armed forces seen on the streets of Maysan. It’s not clear if they’re out to target any particular armed group regarding the strike on Saudi Arabia or if it’s just for show.

On the diplomatic side, the prime minister immediately condemned the attacks and stated the Iraqi government is seeking to prevent further such incidents.

Attack on Saudi pipeline signals ‘Iran can’t be trusted’

Wolfgang Pusztai, a security policy and defence analyst, says drone strikes on Saudi Arabia’s oil pipeline were carried out by Iranian proxies in Iraq, acting on behalf of Iran.

“I believe this [attack] was most likely an order from Tehran. From Tehran’s point of view, this is them supporting Yemen’s Houthi war objective, which is for Saudi Arabia to withdraw from Yemen,” he said.

The more pressure Saudi Arabia feels from attacks, the more likely it is to withdraw from Yemen, said Pusztai.

“On the other side, this certainly sharpens Iran’s own blockade over the Strait of Hormuz because Tehran does not allow Saudi Arabia to bypass the Strait of Hormuz anymore. This signals to Saudi Arabia – and probably to the other Gulf states – that Iran can’t be trusted.”

Kuwait denounces attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline

The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry has condemned the drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline as a “flagrant” violation of sovereignty and international law.

In a statement on X, the ministry emphasized “the importance of the Iraqi government taking the necessary measures to ensure that its territory is not used as a launch pad for such attacks”.

Kuwait’s statement echoed that of Bahrain earlier this morning.

Trump says Iran ‘probably’ responsible for Saudi pipeline attack

During news conference in Dublin, Trump was asked whether Iran was responsible for the the attack on Saudi Arabia’s crucial East-West oil pipeline, the US president said “probably, they are”.

He added that “the Houthis “called us”.

“They don’t wait to fight us, they let us know,” Trump said.

He added that Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, is his good friend and stressed that “everything will work out fine.”

Attack on Saudi pipeline: ‘This is not just our problem, it’s a global problem’

Attacks on Saudi Arabia’s major pipeline is not just the kingdom’s problem but a major crisis for the global community, an analyst says.

“It’s going to be very dire consequences because we are talking about five million barrels of oil for export disappearing from the market,” Khalid Bartafi said, noting the pipeline itself wasn’t attacked but equipment used to operate it was hit.

“The next 48 will tell you whether this is going to remain some sort of contained incident or this is going to become yet another major regional escalation,” said Bartafi.

“I would watch from the Iraqi government deeds not just words and what they do next. Saudi Arabia did know from where it [the attack] came and who is responsible, and we share intelligence with the Iraqis. The ball is in the Iraqi court.”

He added: “This is not just our problem, it’s a global problem because if Iran could close both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb the world will pay. The world community needs to do something.”

Iraqi speaker condemns attack on Saudi, warns against ‘further escalation’

Iraq’s Parliament Speaker Haybat al-Halbousi says the use of Iraqi territory to carry out attacks against Saudi Arabia is “unacceptable”.

“Such actions are inconsistent with Iraq’s policies, national interests, and relations with its brothers and neighbors,” al-Halbousi said in comments reported by the Iraqi News Agency.

Al-Halbousi said parliament fully supports a governmental investigation into the Maysan operational command – where the attack on the Saudi East-West pipeline originated – and will seek legal action against all those involved.

Iraq’s efforts are intended to spare the country “and the region further escalation”, he added.

UAE, Lebanon latest to condemn Saudi pipeline attack

The United Arab Emirates and Lebanon are the latest countries to denounce the drone attack on Saudi’s East-West oil pipeline.

The UAE’s Foreign Ministry said the “aggressive” targeting of the pipeline was a “flagrant violation” of Saudi’s sovereignty.

Iraq’s president condemns attacks against Saudi Arabia

In a statement, Nizar Amidi said “Iraq will not accept the use of its territory or airspace as a launching pad for attacks against neighbouring countries.”

He added that “protecting Iraq’s sovereignty and maintaining its relations with its regional environment is the responsibility of the state and its constitutional institutions.”

Yemen says Saudi pipeline attack ‘blatant violation’ of sovereignty

Yemen’s internationally recognised government has condemned attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, saying the drones came from Iraqi territory.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attack caused casualties and material damage, describing it as a “blatant violation” of Saudi sovereignty and international law and a threat to regional security and energy supplies.

It expressed Yemen’s “full solidarity” with Saudi Arabia and backed measures taken by Riyadh to protect its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The ministry also called for “effective steps” to prevent further attacks from Iraqi territory and welcomed Saudi Arabia’s decision to give Baghdad an opportunity to take measures to stop them.

Iraqi investigators on the hunt for drone launch sites after Saudi attacks

A search operation is being conducted in the Jazirat al-Tayyib area of Maysan governorate after the drone attack from Iraqi territory led to the shutdown of Saudi Arabia’s main oil pipeline.

An Iraqi security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Al Jazeera that traces of explosives indicating the launch of drones were found near the Duwayrij River.

Meanwhile, AFP news agency reported “security forces found drone launchers near the Iraq-Iran border in the al-Tib” remote region in the southern Maysan area.

Iranian and Iraqi foreign ministers discuss security situation on shared borders

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein have held a phone call to discuss bilateral issues and regional developments.

They both “emphasised the stability and security situation on the common borders of the two countries and the need for continued coordination”, a statement from Araghchi said.

This comes after Iraq temporarily closed three of its crossings into Iran after drone launch sites were discovered there following attacks on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline.

Araghchi and Hussein also stressed the need for responsible approaches to regional developments, and the importance of preventing “the escalation of tensions and the expansion of conflicts in the region”.