Iraq, Iran coordinate on Saudi pipeline attack probe

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday to address the fallout from recent strikes targeting Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline.

The two foreign ministers reviewed measures surrounding the incident and the ongoing work of a joint committee established to investigate the circumstances of the attack.

Discussions also covered bilateral relations and the recent closure of several border crossings, examining the reasons behind the decisions and steps to resolve the issue.

Regarding Yemen, the two diplomats reviewed the latest developments, stressing that outstanding issues must be resolved through dialogue and negotiation to reduce regional tensions and enhance stability.

Tehran-Muscat agreement 

Turning to the Strait of Hormuz, the ministers discussed the eight-nation summit scheduled for Monday in Oman, which will bring together the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, Iraq, and Iran.

Hussein affirmed Iraq's full support for the meeting and confirmed that an official Iraqi delegation will participate.

Concurrently, Iran's Tasnim news agency quoted an Iranian source confirming that the Strait of Hormuz will not be fully reopened under the bilateral understanding reached between Tehran and Muscat.

According to the Iranian account:

• New Routes Established: Tehran and Muscat agreed on specific entry and exit channels. The entry route is situated entirely within Iranian territorial waters, while part of the exit route also passes through them.
• Southern Lane Status: The southern maritime route will remain closed despite US insistence on reopening it, with Tehran tying a full reopening of the strait to Washington fulfilling Iran's conditions.
• Regional Briefing: Iraq will attend Monday's summit in Oman, where GCC countries will be briefed on the outcomes of the Iranian-Omani negotiations and the decisions finalized at the meeting.

Meanwhile, The Financial Times reported on Saturday that the United States has instructed commercial oil tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz to sail during specific time slots to receive military protection, following an escalation in Iranian attacks targeting vessels transiting at night.

Since May, Washington has provided aerial protection for vessels along a southern path adjacent to the Omani coast.

Citing emails sent by the US Maritime Coordination Center to maritime advisors, the report noted that protected transit windows were reduced starting in early September to two designated daily timeframes.