13 September,2026 09:04 AM IST | Baghdad | Agencies
Satellite image of Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline after it was hit by Iraqi drones on Friday. Pics/PTI
Iraq's government was racing Saturday to contain the fallout after local Iran-backed militias were accused of attacking and shuttering a key Saudi pipeline. Saudi Arabia's East-West Crude Oil Pipeline carries about 4 million to 5 million barrels of oil per day (roughly 4-5 per cent of global supply).
Though an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias in Iraq denied their involvement, Iraq's government confirmed the attacks had originated from its territory. The government pledged to investigate and dismissed a military commander.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said earlier Saturday that he'd ordered an investigation into the operations command of Maysan province, along the border with Iran, and dismissed the province's commander. His office later said the provincial police chief was also dismissed. Iraqi government confirmed on Saturday later in the night that attacks on a key Saudi oil pipeline were launched from Iraqi territory, pledging to probe further.
Iraq closed two key border crossings with Iran, halting all passenger and commercial traffic until further notice, Iran's state-run media reported Saturday. Meanwhile, fears mount that gas and oil prices may rise and international shipping could be further disrupted after Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis seized a key island and captured a Red Sea port.
Saudi Arabia shut down the major, cross-country oil pipeline on Friday, saying it was a "precautionary measure" after the pipeline came under drone attack. The Saudi foreign ministry condemned "the targeting of the East-West pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions by several drones coming from Iraq, which caused human injuries and damage".
"The pipeline was stopped as a precaution, and the attacks resulted in some injuries," an energy ministry official told reporters.
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday Iran was "probably" responsible for the pipeline attack, but tried to calm concerns. "The Houthis called us, and they don't want to fight with us," Trump said, "They would much prefer not having us involved, and they're letting most ships go through." Asked about a recent call with Saudi's crown prince, Trump said: "He's a good friend of mine, and I can just say everything's going to work out fine and dandy. It's going to be very good."
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