Iraq suspends flights to Iran, closes border crossings after Saudi drone attack

Iraq has suspended flights between Basra and Iranian towns and closed major border crossings with Iran as part of a series of retaliatory measures following drone strikes against Saudi Arabia. The actions come after an inquiry revealed that drones targeting Saudi Arabia's critical East-West oil pipeline were launched from the southern Iraqi province of Maysan.

In response to the security breach, Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi dismissed the military commander in charge of Maysan province. The incidents have placed increased pressure on Baghdad to rein in Iran-aligned armed groups operating within its borders, whose actions threaten Iraq's improving diplomatic and economic relations with Gulf states.