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Türkiye strongly condemned drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory targeting Saudi Arabia, the Foreign Ministry said Saturday, as Iraqi authorities seized a drone-launching platform used in the strike, and U.S. President Donald Trump said he believed Iran was likely behind the attack.
"We condemn in the strongest terms the drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory targeting Saudi Arabia," the ministry said in a statement, reiterating Ankara's support for Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and praising Saudi authorities for their "restrained approach" aimed at avoiding further escalation in the region.
Türkiye said it welcomed the Iraqi government's condemnation of the attacks and its immediate launch of an investigation to identify those responsible.
"We reiterate our call for an immediate end to such attacks, which threaten regional stability and security, and to refrain from any action that could escalate tensions," the ministry said.
Saudi Arabia had said its East-West oil pipeline was struck by drones launched from Iraq, causing injuries and material damage.
Riyadh said it had decided "at this stage not to respond" at the request of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, while reserving the right to take necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security.
Iraq's Security Media Cell chief Saad Maan said Saturday that Iraqi authorities had located and seized a drone-launching platform inside Iraqi territory used in the attack on the pipeline.
"An intelligence and security task force made significant efforts and managed to locate and seize the launch platform inside Iraqi territory," Maan said in a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency, adding that investigative work involving forensic experts and technical analysis was continuing "not only to seize the platform, but also through continued intensive field and intelligence efforts to identify those involved."
Iraqi army spokesperson Sabah al-Numan said security and intelligence agencies were continuing "pursuit operations to arrest all those involved" in the attacks.
Al-Zaidi separately ordered the dismissal of the commander overseeing operations in Maysan province, the region bordering Iran from which Baghdad determined the attacks had originated, and the formation of an investigative committee into the operations command there.
Iraqi authorities also tightened security at several border crossings Saturday, including temporary closures and stepped-up screening measures.
Al-Zaidi approved a request from Iran to conduct a joint investigation into the discovery of drone launch platforms near the shared border, according to a statement from al-Numan.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi separately discussed the probe by phone Saturday, reviewing the formation of a joint investigative committee, security measures at border crossings, and a meeting planned for Monday in Oman involving Iraq, Iran and the six Gulf Cooperation Council states on issues related to the Strait of Hormuz.
Baghdad and Riyadh continue to exchange intelligence and security information at various levels, according to Maan.
Saudi Arabia had separately accused Iraq in July of allowing drones to be launched from its territory toward oil facilities in the kingdom, a claim Baghdad said at the time it was investigating while reaffirming its rejection of the use of its territory to attack neighboring countries.
Asked by reporters in Dublin whether Iran was responsible for the pipeline attack, Trump said, "I think they are; probably they are."
Trump said he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, describing him as a "good friend."
He also said Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis had contacted his administration to indicate they did not want the U.S. directly involved in the broader regional conflict.
"They would much prefer not having us involved, and they're letting most ships go through. There's just one country that they're not too happy with, and we'll get that straightened out," Trump said.
The East-West pipeline carries crude oil from Saudi Arabia's eastern oil-producing region to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, allowing exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, which has been partially blocked amid the broader U.S.-Iran war.
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