BAGHDAD(The COW News Digital) Iraq has temporarily closed three key border crossings with Iran following a drone attack on a Saudi oil pipeline, with Iraqi officials saying the drones used in the assault were launched from Iraqi territory.
According to security sources and a government official cited by AFP, authorities suspended operations at the Shalamcheh crossing in Basra province, Al-Sheeb in Maysan province and Al-Mandali crossing in Diyala province.
The closures are temporary and do not affect all crossings between Iraq and Iran. Other border points reportedly remain operational, allowing trade and movement between the two neighboring countries to continue.
The decision came shortly after a drone strike targeted a Saudi oil pipeline. Saudi and Iraqi authorities have said that the drones involved in the attack were launched from locations inside Iraq. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the incident.
The development has created a sensitive security challenge for Baghdad, which maintains close political and economic ties with Iran while also seeking stronger relations with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.
Following the attack, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi removed the military commander in Maysan province, according to AFP. The move came after Iraqi authorities determined that the drones involved in the attack had been launched from Maysan.
The decision signals growing concern within the Iraqi government over the use of its territory for attacks against neighboring countries.
An alliance of powerful armed groups operating in Iraq and maintaining close ties with Iran has denied involvement in the attack on the Saudi oil pipeline. The group has rejected allegations that it was responsible for the strike.
Saudi Arabia has previously accused armed groups based in Iraq of targeting its oil facilities and energy infrastructure. However, with no organization claiming responsibility for the latest incident, the identity and motives of those behind the attack remain unclear.
The three crossings affected by the Iraqi decision are important routes for trade, passenger movement and transportation between Iraq and Iran. Shalamcheh is a major crossing in southern Iraq, while Al-Sheeb connects Maysan province with Iran. Al-Mandali is located in Diyala province in central Iraq.
Their temporary closure could disrupt local trade and cross-border transportation if the restrictions remain in place.
The incident also highlights the security and political pressures facing Baghdad as it attempts to prevent Iraqi territory from being used in regional conflicts. Iraq’s strategic position between Iran and the Gulf Arab states makes it particularly vulnerable to the consequences of rising regional tensions.
For Saudi Arabia, any attack on critical oil infrastructure remains a significant security concern because disruptions to energy facilities can have wider implications for regional and international energy markets
