Baghdad confirms attack on Saudi pipeline came from Iraq

NEW: Baghdad confirms the drone attack on Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline was launched from Iraqi territory, as Riyadh says it will not retaliate and urges Iraq to rein in Iran-backed militias.

Baghdad has now admitted it. The drone that hit Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline was launched from inside Iraq.

That's the Iraqi government's own confirmation, and you can see the cabinet meeting where they dealt with the fallout here. They moved fast, sacking the military commander and the police chief in Maysan province on the Iranian border, and closing the main crossing there. Maysan is territory where Iran-backed militias have operated for years. Nobody has claimed the attack, and the Popular Mobilization Forces deny any role.

Riyadh's response is the striking part. No retaliation. The Saudis shut the pipeline as a precaution and said they want to give Baghdad a chance to take the necessary measures. Donald Trump says Iran was probably behind it.

So the pressure now sits entirely on Iraq, a government being asked by Washington and Riyadh at once to control militias that are formally part of its own security forces.

This is Liu Yang, reporting for HIT.