The repercussions of the drone attack that was launched from Iraqi territory and targeted vital installations in Saudi Arabia are expanding, from security measures inside Iraq to diplomatic action with Iran, while Baghdad is racing against time to contain the incident and prevent it from turning into a broader regional crisis.
In this context, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, during which they discussed bilateral relations and regional developments, in addition to the measures taken by Baghdad in the wake of the attack on Saudi Arabia.
According to a statement by the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two ministers discussed the procedures related to some border crossings and ways to address the violations recorded there, in addition to the attack that targeted the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the course of action of the Joint Investigation Committee.
Hussein and Araqji stressed that addressing the crises in the region, including the situation in Yemen, must pass through dialogue, negotiations, and reducing tension, in a way that preserves the security and stability of the region.
They also discussed the upcoming meeting in the Sultanate of Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz, with the participation of the eight neighboring countries, the Gulf Cooperation Council, Iraq and Iran, where Hussein stressed Baghdad’s support for this path and its participation in it.
The call comes after the Iraqi authorities announced the closure of a number of border crossings as part of “administrative and security” measures, and opened an investigation into “violations and irregularities” recorded there, the day after Baghdad confirmed that the attacks targeting Saudi Arabia were launched from a location within Maysan Governorate in southern Iraq.
The measures included closing the Al-Shalamjah port in Basra Governorate, the Al-Shayb port in Maysan Governorate, and the Mandali port in Diyala Governorate to the movement of passengers and goods completely until further notice, while the authorities kept the Zurbatiyah and Al-Mundhiriya ports open to the movement of passengers.
In parallel, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed the formation of an investigative board against the Maysan Operations Command, and ordered the operations commander to be relieved of his position, in addition to the governorate’s police chief and the directors of its security services, and to refer them to investigation, after it was proven that the attack on Saudi Arabia was launched from one of the locations inside the governorate.
Baghdad also announced its approval of an Iranian request to conduct a joint investigation into the discovery of platforms for launching drones near the border between the two countries.
Saudi Arabia announced that the “East-West” pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions was targeted by drones coming from Iraq, which led to human casualties and material damage, while the Saudi Ministry of Energy stopped the line as a precaution.
In a position that carried clear indications of giving Baghdad an opportunity to address the issue, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Kingdom had decided, based on the request of the Iraqi Prime Minister, “not to respond at this stage,” and to allow the Iraqi government to take measures to prevent the recurrence of attacks launched from its territory, with Riyadh affirming that it reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security.
Targeting the “East-West” line gains additional sensitivity because it is one of the most important routes for transporting Saudi oil from the fields in the east of the Kingdom to the Red Sea coast, and provides a strategic route for exports far from the Strait of Hormuz, which makes any threat to it go beyond the direct security dimension to the file of energy security and the movement of supplies in the region.
