Iraq Condemns Drone Strikes on Saudi Oil Pipeline

Iraqi Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi condemned drone strikes launched from Iraq that targeted an oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia, calling them 'unacceptable'. The attacks on Saturday hit the East-West pipeline in the Riyadh and Madina regions, which serves as a vital energy lifeline for exporting up to 7 million barrels of crude oil per day.

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry expressed its strongest condemnation of the attacks, but chose not to respond at this stage, following a request from Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to allow Baghdad to take necessary measures to prevent future attacks.

Halbousi emphasized the need for restricting arms to the state and its constitutional institutions, under Zaidi's command, which would prevent Iraq 'from being dragged into regional conflicts'. He also extended support for the Iraqi government's investigation into the attacks and efforts to contain the situation and maintain fraternal relations with Riyadh.