Iraqi authorities said passenger traffic had resumed at key border crossings with Iran after being closed Saturday following drone attacks launched from Iraq that closed Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline. Baghdad acknowledged that the attack had originated from Iraq. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi had ordered specific dates to be set for reopening three border crossings with Iran: Shalamcheh, Mandali, and Al-Sheeb, Iraq’s Security Media Cell said. The three border crossings are located in the provinces of Basra, Maysan, and Mandali. The attacks against Saudi Arabia were carried out from near the Al-Sheeb border crossing in Maysan province, prompting the prime minister to dismiss the commander in charge of Maysan and place the heads of its security agencies under his direct command, while referring them for investigation. Analysts said the border closures amounted to an unprecedented “warning message” to Iran, as Iraqi authorities tightened security and launched investigations into violations at the crossings.
