Hikma MP says crossings were closed to stop suspects fleeing to Iran

BAGHDAD — The government closed border crossings and set up joint committees with Iran because it feared those behind the drone attack on Saudi Arabia would escape into Iranian territory, a Hikma Movement lawmaker said.

“The Iraqi government remedied the matter hours later by forming joint committees with the Islamic Republic of Iran out of fear that the perpetrators would go there, and closed the borders to prevent their escape there, since the factions are ultimately considered allies of Iran,” Ahmed al-Saadi told Al-Ahd TV. He offered no evidence identifying those responsible.

It is a third explanation for the closures. The Security Media Cell described administrative and security reorganisation following breaches and violations at the crossings, and the Border Ports Authority later called the measures organisational and rehabilitative, making no mention of the attack.

Saadi criticised the dismissals in Maysan. “The measures taken by the Iraqi government were in line with the Saudi narrative that the attack was launched from Iraq, and included the removal of the Maysan Operations commander and the police chief,” he said. “The story of the dismissals has a political dimension and does not warrant dismissing the police chief, who does not even have the authority to transfer a policeman without the approval of the Interior Ministry in Baghdad, so is it reasonable to hold him responsible on this scale?” The steps were “merely a stopgap measure to show the Saudis seriousness and absorb their anger in order to prevent any reaction,” he said.

He said he did not rule out Israel having been behind an attack launched from Iraqi territory to create tension between Baghdad and Riyadh, without offering evidence.

Saudi Arabia said drones launched from Iraq struck its East-West pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions, causing injuries and material damage, and said it would not retaliate at this stage after Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi asked for time. Authorities said the drones came from Maysan, which borders Iran, and have since found a drone launch platform inside Iraqi territory.