Attack that closed key Saudi pipeline blamed on Iran-backed militias in Iraq

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s government raced Saturday to contain the fallout after Iran -backed militias were accused of attacking a key Saudi oil pipeline, shutting down the top global oil producer’s alternative to the Iranian-threatened Strait of Hormuz.Though an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias in Iraq denied their involvement, Iraq’s government confirmed the attacks had originated from its territory, pledged to investigate and dismissed two senior officials.The attack on the East-West pipeline came as Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen put further pressure on neighboring Saudi Arabia and its shipping, reaching the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea, through which around 12% of global trade passes.Regional officials have told The Associated Press that the Houthis and the Iraqi militias recently coordinated attacks on Saudi oil facilities, which led Saudi Arabia and the United States to bomb Iranian-backed militias in Iraq in July.As the latest events threaten even higher global oil prices after six months of war, U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran was “probably” responsible for the pipeline attack, but tried to calm concerns.“The Houthis called us, and they don’t want to fight with us,” Trump said.“They would much prefer not having us involved, and they’re letting most ships go through.” He said his administration has had “discussions” with the Houthis, but the White House didn’t say when.

His administration engaged in at least one round of talks in May 2025.“We are not in war with Saudi Arabia, and the Houthis have their own problems,” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told India Today TV on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in India.Saudi Arabia shut down the cross-country oil pipeline on Friday as a “precautionary measure” after it came under drone attack the day before.It said several drones came from Iraq but the kingdom would not retaliate, to give the Iraqi government “an oppor...