Iraqi security forces have located and seized a drone-launching platform believed to have been used in an attack on Saudi Arabia’s critical East-West oil pipeline. The seizure comes after Saudi authorities traced the launch site to Maysan province in southeastern Iraq, near the Iranian border.

Lieutenant General Saad Maan, head of Iraq’s Security Media Cell, announced the operation, stating that an intelligence and security task force had successfully tracked down and confiscated the launch equipment. The East-West pipeline, a crucial artery for Saudi oil exports, transports oil from the kingdom’s eastern fields to western ports, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. The pipeline was shut down as a precautionary measure following the Thursday drone strike.

Saudi authorities reported that several people were injured in the coordinated drone attacks, which targeted the pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions. The kingdom indicated that it had decided against immediate retaliation, following a request from Baghdad. Forensic and technical experts are continuing their work to identify those responsible for the attack, and Iraq’s commander-in-chief has approved an Iranian request to participate in the investigation.

Baghdad is actively engaged in direct communication with Saudi authorities to share intelligence. General Maan emphasized Iraq's commitment to "preventive sovereignty," a principle that aims to prevent attacks originating from Iraqi territory and to avoid the country being drawn into proxy wars. This stance underscores Iraq's effort to distance itself from regional conflicts.

Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Rammal reported that the likely launch site has been pinpointed to the al-Tayeb border district in northeastern Maysan province. Given the significant distance to the targeted regions, approximately 1,100 kilometers (684 miles) to Medina and 800 km (497 miles) to Riyadh, the attack is presumed to have involved advanced, long-range drones rather than smaller, tactical ones.

The Iraqi army spokesman, Sabah al-Numan, had previously stated that security and intelligence agencies were conducting operations to apprehend all individuals involved in the incident. In the wake of the strike, Iraqi authorities had also temporarily closed several border crossings with Iran, including Shalamcheh and Chazabeh, as part of their security measures.

The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region and the potential for cross-border attacks. Saudi Arabia’s decision to halt retaliation, at least for now, suggests a willingness to allow Iraqi authorities to resolve the matter and de-escalate tensions.

Unresolved questions remain regarding the specific actors behind the drone launch and the exact capabilities of the drones used. The investigation aims to provide clarity on these aspects and hold those responsible accountable, while Iraq works to assert its sovereignty and prevent future incidents.