Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Iraq Sets Iran Crossing Reopenings After Saudi Pipeline Drone Attack
A drone attacked a Saudi oil pipeline on Friday night.
The drones were reportedly launched from Iraq’s Missan province near Iran.
Iraq then closed three border crossings with Iran.
Officials said they needed to reorganize the crossings and improve security checks.
Iraq also removed a military commander in Missan.
On Sunday, two crossings reopened for passengers, but not for trade.
The three crossings are expected to reopen gradually between Sunday and Thursday.
No group has admitted carrying out the attack, and Iran-backed Iraqi factions denied responsibility.
Iraq announced the gradual reopening of three crossings with Iran from Sunday through Thursday.
The crossings were closed after a drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline on Friday night.
Authorities said drones were launched from Missan province and dismissed the military commander there.
Shalamsheh and al-Shib reopened to passengers on Sunday, but trade remained suspended.
No group claimed responsibility, while Iran-backed Iraqi armed factions denied attacking the pipeline.
- Who
- Iraqi authorities, Saudi Arabia, and Iran-backed Iraqi armed factions are involved in the response and competing accounts.
- What
- Iraq is gradually reopening three crossings with Iran after closing them following a drone attack on a Saudi pipeline.
- When
- The attack occurred Friday night; the crossings began reopening Sunday, with the process scheduled to continue through Thursday.
- Where
- The attack involved Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, while the crossings are in Basra, Missan, and Diyala in Iraq.
- Why
- Iraq said the closures were needed to reorganize border operations and strengthen intelligence efforts after determining that the drones were launched from Missan province.
Iraqi Authorities’ Account
Denials and Uncertainty
Who launched the drones
Iraqi Authorities’ Account
Iraqi authorities determined that the drones were launched from Missan province, and security sources said launchers were found near al-Shib.
Denials and Uncertainty
No group has claimed responsibility, and an alliance of Iran-backed Iraqi armed factions said it did not attack the pipeline.
Reason for closing crossings
Iraqi Authorities’ Account
The Iraqi government said the closures were intended to reorganize operations and strengthen intelligence efforts to prevent further violations.
Denials and Uncertainty
The available reports do not identify a separate public explanation disputing the government’s security rationale, leaving responsibility for the attack unresolved.
- Affected pipeline
- Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline
- Border crossings
- Shalamsheh, al-Shib, and al-Mandali
- Reopening schedule
- Gradually from Sunday through Thursday
- Sunday status
- Shalamsheh and al-Shib reopened to passengers, but not to trade
- Security action
- Iraq dismissed the military commander in Missan province
- Responsibility
- No group claimed responsibility; Iran-backed Iraqi armed factions denied involvement
- Security finding
- Iraqi security sources said drone launchers were found near al-Shib