ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Saudi Arabia on Friday said several drones launched from Iraq targeted its East-West pipeline in the Riyadh and Madina regions, causing injuries and “some damage,” while the kingdom said it has chosen not to retaliate for now.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement, expressed its “strongest condemnation” of the attack by “several drones launched from Iraq.”

The statement said Saudi Arabia “has chosen not to respond at this stage” following a request from Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to “allow” Baghdad to take necessary measures “to prevent attacks launched from Iraqi territory against the Kingdom and neighboring countries.”

Despite this, the ministry said Riyadh affirmed its “right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security, facilities, citizens, and residents.”

Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry said in a statement that the East-West pipeline was shut down “as a precautionary measure” following the attacks. 

The pipeline currently serves as an essential energy lifeline, allowing Riyadh to export up to 7 million barrels of crude oil per day amid the maritime restrictions that Iran has put on the Strait of Hormuz. 

The development comes weeks after Saudi Arabia and the US launched coordinated attacks against several Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) bases in Iraq in late July, killing and wounding dozens, after Saudi authorities said the country’s oil facilities had been targeted by Iran-aligned militias inside Iraq at Tehran’s behest.

Following those attacks, Zaidi directed Iraqi authorities to launch an investigation into strikes Riyadh said were launched from Iraqi territory.

Baghdad on Friday condemned the latest attacks and reiterated its rejection of “any assault that threatens the Kingdom's security and stability.” It also thanked Riyadh for its position and its support for “the efforts made by Iraq to contain the situation.”

Zaidi directed “an urgent investigation” into the attacks and ordered legal measures be taken “against anyone whose involvement is proven,” according to a statement from his spokesperson Sabah al-Numan.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry likewise condemned the attack and commended Saudi Arabia’s support for Baghdad’s “efforts to prevent the use of its territories to aggress against the Kingdom and neighboring countries.”

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi also condemned the attack and stressed the importance of the Iraqi government “intensifying its efforts and taking the necessary, decisive measures to prevent its territory from being used as a launchpad for such attacks.”

Jordan also condemned the attack and labeled it “a flagrant violation” of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty.

The Gulf states have repeatedly been targeted by Iran and Iran-aligned factions during both the current and previous phases of the US-Iran conflict, with Iraq facing diplomatic backlash over the alleged involvement of pro-Iran Iraqi militias in carrying out drone and missile attacks on regional countries.