Iran war: Iraq says Saudi pipeline attack originated from its territory
Iraq said attacks on a key Saudi oil pipeline were launched from its territory, as US President Donald Trump appeared to blame Iran.
Asked if he thought Iran was behind the attack that closed the East-West pipeline, Trump told reporters: “Well, I think they are. Probably they are.”
Supporters of Yemen’s Houthi rebels gather during a rally organised to celebrate the group’s capture of Mayun Island in the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, in Houthi-controlled Sanaa, Yemen. samah Abdulrahman
Meanwhile, the number of displaced people in Yemen is rising quickly after a swift advance by Iran-backed Houthi rebels threatens a key alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb.
And Lebanon and Israel will hold new direct talks next month.
Trump said his administration has “had discussions” with the Houthis, though he did not say when.
“The Houthis called us, and they don’t want to fight with us,” he said. “They would much prefer not having us involved, and they’re letting most ships go through.” The Houthis have said they are only targeting neighbouring Saudi Arabia’s shipping.
Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi,, reviews an honour guard as he is welcomed by the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in Tehran, Iran in July. AP
Asked about a recent call with Saudi’s crown prince, Trump said: “He’s a good friend of mine, and I can just say everything’s going to work out fine and dandy. It’s going to be very good.”
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered an investigation into the operations command in Maysan province, which borders Iran, and dismissed its commander after authorities determined that the attacks on the Saudi pipeline were launched from the province, the government said.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry blamed the attacks on drones that came from Iraq and said the kingdom would not retaliate to give the Iraqi government “an opportunity to take the necessary measures.”
This image taken from undated video released by the Ansar Allah Media Office, the media arm of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, shows a pickup truck burning following what the Houthis described as an attack on Saudi-backed forces in eastern Jawf province, Yemen. AP
The East-West pipeline has been vital to Saudi Arabia’s oil exports since the Iran war disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the International Energy Agency, Saudi oil exports through the Red Sea port at the pipeline’s end have more than doubled.
Regional officials have told The Associated Press that the Houthis and the Iraqi militias recently coordinated attacks on Saudi oil facilities.