Iraq Races to Contain Fallout After Local Iran-Backed Militias Accused of Attacking Saudi Pipeline

Iraq opened an investigation after drones attacked Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline from Maysan province near the Iranian border. Baghdad dismissed the provincial operations commander and another senior official, while an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias denied responsibility. Saudi Arabia shut the pipeline as a precaution but said it would not retaliate. Iraq also closed two crossings with Iran. The incident comes as Houthi forces advance in Yemen, raising fears of wider escalation, disrupted shipping through Bab el-Mandeb, and prices