Basra governor says oil facilities operating under heightened security after strikes

BASRA — Basra Governor Asaad al-Eidani said oil facilities in the governorate are continuing to operate under strengthened security following strikes that hit offices and storage areas belonging to U.S. companies, causing fires and raising concerns about the safety of foreign-operated energy infrastructure.

“The oil institutions in the governorate are working under strict security protection,” Eidani told 964media, adding that “the impact of the recent strikes on the work of companies was limited” and that Iraqi personnel remain capable of keeping fields and facilities running.

The comments came after an expanded meeting Sunday that brought together Eidani, senior security commanders, oil company representatives and members of the Basra Provincial Council’s security and oil and gas committees. Following the meeting, Eidani announced the formation of a crisis cell tasked with monitoring and strengthening the protection of oil installations across the governorate.

Aqeel al-Furaiji, head of the provincial council’s security committee, said he met with oil sector representatives to review their security requirements and that authorities had provided guidance to ensure facilities are protected in light of the regional escalation.

Furaiji also said Basra’s border crossings remain open. The Shalamcheh crossing, used for trade and civilian movement, is operating fully, though occasional interruptions originate from the Iranian side. The Safwan crossing is also functioning, he said, with coordination between both sides continuing.

Basra is Iraq’s oil heartland, accounting for the vast majority of the country’s crude exports, making the security of its energy infrastructure a critical concern as drone and missile attacks have spread across the country following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28.