A map of the Middle East highlighting Iraq and Iran.
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) — Iraq has closed major border crossings with Iran and stopped flights between Basra and Iranian towns as Baghdad steps up its retaliation to drone strikes conducted from Iraqi territory against Saudi Arabia.
The measures are a harsh reaction by Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi’s administration as it pursues individuals responsible for an incident that has jeopardized Iraq’s ties with Saudi Arabia, as well as increased surveillance of Iran-aligned armed organizations operating outside official supervision.
Iraq ordered the closure of the Shalamcheh border between Basra and Iran, and security forces initiated a large-scale effort to find those responsible for the Saudi assault, according to sources.
According to other sources, limitations were applied at the Al-Shaib, Zurbatiyah, and Al-Mundhariyah crossings, although Kurdistan Regional Government-controlled crossings remained open, indicating that the Iraqi-Iranian land border has not been totally blocked.
Basra International Airport has also delayed leaving and arriving aircraft from Iran until further notice, according to sources.
The steps came after Saudi Arabia said that drones fired from Iraq had targeted its critical East-West oil pipeline in the Riyadh and Madinah districts, inflicting casualties and damage and prompting the country to temporarily down the network.
Iraq officially denounced the assaults and pledged to take action against those involved.
An Iraqi military officer in charge of operations in Maysan province was sacked after an inquiry revealed that the drones were launched from Iraqi territory.
Saudi Arabia has so far declined to retaliate in response to Al-Zaidi’s request, citing the need to allow Baghdad time to prevent similar strikes from Iraq.
Riyadh retained the right to protect its territory and facilities.
The issue puts further pressure on Baghdad to tackle Iran-aligned militias, whose actions have frequently threatened to draw Iraq into Tehran’s regional conflict and undercut the government’s attempts to enhance relations with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations.
For Iraq, the closure of border crossings with Iran, flight restrictions, and the dismissal of a senior commander represent an increasingly forceful attempt by Al-Zaidi’s government to prevent armed groups from using Iraqi territory to advance regional agendas at the expense of Baghdad’s own security and foreign relations.