BAGHDAD, — Iraq has ordered the closure of the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran after drone attacks targeted Saudi Arabia, according to two Iraqi security sources cited by Reuters.
The move came as Iraqi authorities launched a wide-scale operation to find those responsible for the attacks.
Saudi Arabia said drones launched from Iraq struck its vital East-West oil pipeline. The kingdom has temporarily shut the pipeline while authorities assess the damage.
Iraq Launches Investigation
The Shalamcheh crossing is an important route for trade between Iraq and Iran. It handles imports including vegetables and other food products.
Iraqi authorities closed the crossing as a precaution while security forces investigate the attacks.
The two security sources said a broad operation was underway to identify and arrest those involved in the drone strikes.
Military Commander Dismissed
Iraq also dismissed a military commander following an investigation into the attacks.
Iraq’s prime minister’s office said the investigation confirmed that the drones targeting Saudi Arabia originated from Iraqi territory.
The dismissed commander had led military operations in Maysan province in southern Iraq, according to the statement.
Maysan borders Iran and has long been an area where Iran-backed Shi’ite armed groups have maintained influence. However, Iraqi authorities have not publicly identified the group responsible for the Saudi pipeline attack.
Saudi Arabia Holds Off on Retaliation
Saudi Arabia has so far decided against immediate retaliation.
Riyadh said it accepted a request from the Iraqi prime minister to avoid military action. At the same time, Saudi officials warned that the kingdom reserves the right to take necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security and critical infrastructure.
The attacks have added pressure to an already fragile regional security situation.
Saudi Arabia has also asked the United States for military assistance against Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi forces, which have advanced along the Red Sea coast and reached the strategic Perim Island near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Regional Tensions Continue to Rise
The developments come as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted.
At the same time, Houthi advances near Bab el-Mandeb threaten another major maritime route. The two waterways are critical to global energy trade.
The latest attacks have therefore raised concerns about further pressure on oil supplies and a wider regional escalation.
