Iraqi authorities on Sunday announced a phased schedule to reopen three border crossings with Iran, a day after shutting them following a drone attack on a Saudi oil pipeline. The crossings were closed after the Friday night attack on the East-West pipeline, amid concerns that the drones had been launched from Iraq’s border area with Iran. The Iraqi government said the temporary closure was aimed at reorganising operations at the crossings and strengthening intelligence measures to prevent further security violations.

The attack prompted immediate security action in Iraq, particularly in Missan province, which lies near the Iranian border. Baghdad dismissed the military commander in the province after authorities determined that the drones used in the attack had been launched from the area. The decision reflected concerns over the use of Iraqi territory for attacks against infrastructure in neighbouring countries and came as Iraqi authorities moved to reinforce security arrangements along the border.

The government subsequently ordered the closure of three crossings with Iran, citing the need to reorganise operations and improve intelligence capabilities. Two Iraqi security sources told AFP on Saturday that drone launchers had been discovered near the al-Shib border crossing in Missan. The reported discovery added to concerns surrounding the circumstances of the attack and the security of the border area. Iraqi authorities have been reviewing operations at the crossings as part of the measures taken following the incident.

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Iraq’s government security media cell said on Sunday that the three crossings would be reopened gradually after authorities reviewed their operations and security arrangements. The reopening schedule runs from Sunday through Thursday, with passenger and trade movements expected to resume in stages. The affected crossings are Shalamsheh in Basra province, al-Shib in Missan province and al-Mandali in Diyala province. The government said the phased approach followed a review of operations at the border facilities.

Shalamsheh and al-Shib were reopened to passengers on Sunday, although trade operations remained suspended at the two crossings, according to the government media cell. The distinction between passenger and commercial traffic allows Iraqi authorities to restore movement while continuing to assess security conditions and operational arrangements. The status of commercial activity at the crossings is expected to be reviewed as the phased reopening progresses through the week. Al-Mandali is also scheduled to reopen as part of the government’s broader timeline.

No group has claimed responsibility for the drone attack on the Saudi pipeline. An alliance of Iran-backed Iraqi armed factions has also denied carrying out the strike. The lack of a claim of responsibility has left questions surrounding the perpetrators unresolved. Saudi Arabia has previously accused Iraqi groups of targeting its oil infrastructure, adding to the wider regional security concerns surrounding attacks on energy facilities. The latest incident has placed additional focus on Iraq’s border security and the potential use of its territory to launch attacks against critical infrastructure in the region.

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