Iraq Under Pressure After Drone Strikes Close Key Saudi Pipeline

Iraq is taking measures to address the consequences of attacks that resulted in the closure of Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, which were found to originate from within the country. On Saturday morning, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi dismissed the operations commander of Maysan province and initiated an investigation into the attacks, which targeted the pipeline from a site within the region bordering Iran, according to a statement.

Saudi Arabia temporarily shut the pipeline on Friday following several drone strikes on the major pipeline in the Riyadh and Madinah regions, as reported by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Iraq has been facing pressure to curb the activities of local Iran-backed militias in supporting proxy groups across the region, but has had limited success, with its territory becoming a significant base for Tehran’s retaliation throughout the Gulf.

The 7 million barrel-a-day East-West pipeline has become a vital artery for Saudi Arabia’s oil exports, particularly due to disruption caused by the Iran war. The pipeline swiftly reached full capacity earlier this year as tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz came to a near standstill. Iran-backed Houthi forces have intensified their pressure by advancing along Yemen’s Red Sea coast towards the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, gaining ground and continuing missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, leading to the temporary halt of several energy sites.

If the group manages to expand its control over the area, they would have greater power to disrupt shipping through another energy chokepoint, increasing pressure on oil prices and potentially threatening Saudi Arabia's efforts to safeguard its economy from regional conflict. Oil prices remained stable after the Saudi ministry's announcement, with Brent futures trading around $105 a barrel.

Brent prices surged on Thursday, nearing $110, due to speculation about the impact of the latest conflict on energy supplies in the region. In response to the drone attacks, Iraq has also ordered the closure of the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran as a precautionary measure, according to Reuters, based on unidentified security sources.