Iraq Closes Border Crossings with Iran Following Pipeline Drone Attack Investigation, Dismisses Maysan Military Commander

Iraq closed border crossings with Iran on Saturday following an investigation that confirmed drones used to attack Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline on Thursday and Friday had been launched from Iraq's Maysan province bordering Iran, according to multiple outlets. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi dismissed Maysan's military commander following the investigation and ordered security reorganization at several border crossings. The Shalamcheh and Chazzabeh crossings in Khuzestan Province were closed indefinitely as of September 12, with no cargo or passengers allowed to cross, according to Valiollah Hayati, deputy governor of Iran's southwestern Khuzestan Province. The Shalamcheh crossing in particular is a major route for Iranian food imports including vegetables, and prolonged closure would quickly disrupt Iraqi markets. The border closures signal Baghdad is under pressure from Riyadh, which demanded accountability for the pipeline strikes that targeted critical Saudi energy infrastructure. No group has claimed responsibility for the pipeline attack, and an umbrella group of Iran-backed Iraqi militias denied involvement, though Saudi Arabia has previously accused these groups of targeting its oil infrastructure. The border closures were described by Iraqi security sources as part of an intelligence effort to track perpetrators and prevent their escape, as well as to hinder drone smuggling. The swift action by Prime Minister al-Zaidi, including the dismissal of a senior military commander, reflects the sensitivity of Iraq's position as it tries to balance relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia amid the broader regional conflict.