Iraq Confirms Saudi Pipeline Attack Originated From Its Territory

On Saturday, the Iraqi government confirmed that a drone strike on Friday night targeting a critical Saudi oil pipeline was launched from Iraqi soil. The attack prompted Saudi Arabia to shut down the pipeline as a precautionary measure. Despite the incident, Riyadh declared it would not pursue military retaliation, instead emphasizing its desire for Baghdad to “take the necessary measures” to prevent such events in the future.

No group has officially claimed responsibility for the strike. The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an umbrella organization of Iran-backed Iraqi militias, denied any involvement. Although these militias are formally integrated into Iraq’s security apparatus, certain factions occasionally operate independently of the central government.

The confirmation places Baghdad under intensified scrutiny from Washington. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and other officials face mounting pressure from the United States to control Iran-aligned armed groups, particularly as several have targeted US-linked assets since the onset of the US and Israeli war against Iran on February 28.

US President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that Iran was “probably” responsible for the pipeline attack. In the same remarks, Trump appeared to downplay tensions with the Houthis, an Iran-backed militia that controls large portions of Yemen. He suggested the group does not wish to fight the US and is allowing most commercial ships to pass.

Tensions remain high as Baghdad has set a September 30 deadline for the disarmament of Iran-backed militias. This date coincides with the scheduled withdrawal of remaining US-led coalition forces from Iraq. However, major factions such as Kataib Hezbollah have rejected the order, demanding guarantees against a US return and measures to eliminate American influence on Iraqi political and economic decisions.