Iraq seizes drone-launching platform used for targeting Saudi oil pipeline

Iraqi security services say they have located and seized a drone-launching platform alleged to have been used in an attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline. The announcement, made by Lieutenant General Saad Maan and published by the state-run Iraqi News Agency, said an intelligence and security task force tracked down the equipment and recovered it for forensic and technical examination. Iraq said its commander-in-chief approved a request from Iran to join and review the investigation, and that Baghdad is maintaining direct communication with Saudi authorities to exchange intelligence. Maan stressed that Baghdad follows a “preventive sovereignty” approach, asserting it will not allow Iraqi territory to be used as a launch site for attacks on other countries or to be drawn into proxy conflicts. Saudi officials reported that multiple drones launched from Iraq struck the East-West pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions, injuring several people and prompting a precautionary shutdown of the line, which moves about 4–5% of the world’s oil and lets Saudi shipments bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Riyadh said it would refrain from immediate retaliation after a request from Baghdad. Iraqi authorities and Al Jazeera reporters pointed to Maysan province in southeastern Iraq, near the Iranian border, as the likely launch area — specifically the al-Tayeb border district east of Amara around the Sheeb crossing and areas including the Duwayrij River and Tayeb Island. Reporters noted the distances involved — roughly 1,100 km from Medina and 800 km from Riyadh — suggesting the use of longer-range drones. Baghdad has moved to detain those responsible, temporarily closed several border crossings with Iran for security inspections before partially reopening them for humanitarian traffic, and Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has reshuffled and placed some border-region commanders under investigation.