Saudi Arabia temporarily shut down its critical East-West oil pipeline on Friday following drone attacks launched from Iraq, prompting the kingdom to withhold military retaliation while Baghdad investigates the security breach and dismisses a military commander.
Pipeline Shutdown and the Red Sea Export Route
Saudi Arabia suspended operations along its cross-country hydrocarbon artery on Friday as a precautionary measure after drones struck the facility in the Riyadh and Medina areas. The infrastructure carries petroleum directly to the country’s Red Sea coast.
According to an official from the Saudi Ministry of Energy speaking to the state news agency SPA, the strikes resulted in some injuries
and material damage. The pipeline has served as an essential conduit for Saudi exports, allowing the kingdom to bypass the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing disruptions to maritime traffic. By early June, the International Energy Agency reported that Saudi Arabia had more than doubled its exports from the Red Sea port at the pipeline’s western terminal to exceed 5 million barrels per day.
Baghdad’s Response and the Dismissal of Commanders
Iraqi authorities moved quickly to contain the diplomatic and regional fallout, confirming that the drone attacks originated from within Iraqi territory. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered an immediate investigation into the Maysan Operations Command near the Iranian border and dismissed the province’s military commander.
Sabah al-Numan, spokesperson for the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, stated that Iraq condemns the attack and affirms its rejection of any aggression that threatens the Kingdom’s security and stability or harms the deep-rooted fraternal relations between the two countries.
In tandem with the security probe, Iraqi state media reported the closure of two major border crossings with Iran, Shalamcheh and Chazabeh. Valiollah Hayati, deputy governor of Iran’s southwestern Khuzestan province, urged traders and travelers to avoid the area.
Riyadh’s Choice to Withhold Retaliation
Despite sustaining damage and injuries, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Riyadh would withhold military retaliation at this stage. The decision followed a direct request from the Iraqi prime minister to grant Baghdad the opportunity to secure its territory and prevent further launch operations.
“At the request of the Iraqi Prime Minister to allow the brotherly Iraqi government the opportunity to take the necessary measures to prevent attacks launched from Iraqi territory against the Kingdom and neighbouring countries, the Kingdom has chosen not to respond at this stage and to support the efforts of the Iraqi government.”
Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that the kingdom reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security, and critical facilities. Iraq welcomed Saudi Arabia’s decision to hold off on military action and expressed appreciation for Riyadh’s cooperation in containing the crisis.
Regional Escalation and Militia Disarmament Pressures
The pipeline attack coincides with broader instability involving Iran-backed groups across the region. Regional officials reported that Iraqi militias and Yemen’s Houthi rebels recently coordinated attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Within Iraq, the incident intensifies scrutiny over the government’s upcoming September 30 deadline for nonstate armed groups to disarm. While Prime Minister al-Zaidi’s administration faces international pressure to rein in powerful factions, several prominent militias have rejected the demand. An umbrella group of Iran-backed militias in Iraq denied direct involvement in the pipeline strike while praising the Houthis for ongoing operations and pledging cooperation with the Baghdad investigation.
International Reactions and Oil Market Pressures
Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi labeled the drone strike a dangerous escalation and an unacceptable threat to the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
and urged Baghdad to take decisive measures to stop its territory from serving as a launchpad.
Addressing reporters in Dublin during a meeting with Irish leaders, U.S. President Donald Trump placed responsibility on Tehran, stating, Well, I think they are. Probably they are. You know, they’re on the balls of their feet right now. But I think they are.
Trump also mentioned that his administration has held discussions with the Houthis, noting that the rebel group had contacted Washington regarding shipping lanes. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi during talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, maintained that We are not in war with Saudi Arabia, and the Houthis have their own problems.
