Iraq Shuts Down Two Border Crossing Points With Iran Following Saudi Oil Pipeline Drones Attack: What To Know About Baghdad’s Action
-
Dhivyanshu
- . September 12, 2026
- . Update: September 12, 2026 7:09 pm
Iraq has shut down two border entry points with Iran after the kingdom accused Iraqi-originated drones of attacking the strategic East-West oil pipeline of Saudi Arabia.
The government of Iraq has been quick in addressing the issue, while the kingdom of Saudi Arabia is yet to act due to Baghdad’s request to identify the responsible persons before acting.
Why Did Iraq Close the Border Crossings With Iran?
Iraq declared the border crossings of Shalamcheh and Chazabeh with Iran closed until further notice as investigations are carried out concerning the attacks. While Reuters first mentioned the closure of Shalamcheh border crossing, it later emerged that Chazabeh border was also closed.
The steps taken by the Iraqi government are part of its broader strategy aimed at finding out how the drones used in the attacks were launched from Iraqi territory.
The Iraqi government has called for a military investigation and the sacking of the commander who is responsible for conducting military operations in the province of Maysan as it became clear that the drone attacks came from there.
What Happened to Saudi Arabia’s Oil Pipeline?
Saudi Arabia stated that several drones launched from Iraq attacked its East-West pipeline in Riyadh and Medina regions, which resulted in injuries and damage.
The oil pipeline referred to as Petroline transports oil from the eastern oil-rich parts of Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. The importance of the pipeline has greatly increased due to the fact that it enables Saudi Arabia to transport oil without depending completely on the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Saudi Arabia suspended its operations as a precautionary measure as the emergency response team worked to secure the infrastructure and damage assessment was carried out.
Why Saudi Arabia is Not Acting Against Iraq
Saudi Arabia has condemned the attack in no uncertain terms but it is not retaliating against Iraq yet.
According to Saudi Arabia, this decision was made on the recommendation of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi who requested that Saudi Arabia allow the Iraqi government to take action against any attacks launched from within Iraqi territory.
At the same time, Saudi Arabia has made clear its right to take whatever measures are necessary for protection of its own territory and its citizens and their infrastructure.
This suggests that the suspension of operations may be an attempt by Saudi Arabia to give Iraq some leeway in proving its ability to prevent its territory from being used to launch attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Iran-Backed Militia Concerns
In addition to all these concerns, there are worries regarding some of the militias active within the territories of Iraq, which have connections with Iran.
While several militias exist in Iraq that are backed by Iran, Saudi Arabia has not been able to point out any particular militia responsible for carrying out the pipeline attack. This is significant since it is important that Baghdad establishes the responsibility for the attack without letting it cause a direct confrontation with Riyadh.
Baghdad has emphasized several times that it would never allow its territory and airspace to become a launchpad for attacks on neighboring countries.
The Relevance of Pipeline Attack Beyond Iraq and Saudi Arabia
At a time when other energy routes in the region are already under immense stress, the pipeline attack takes place.
There is chaos in the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing Iran dispute, and the pro-Iran Houthis have increased their presence around the Bab el-Mandeb shipping lane. It means that Saudi Arabia has become heavily reliant on other routes like the East-West pipeline to transfer crude towards the Red Sea.
The price of oil has already crossed $100 a barrel.
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