Saudi pipeline attack exposes growing power of Iran-backed militias – analysis
Peloni: The key to dealing with Iran’s proxies lies in bringing down the IRGC regime in Iran. Once that is accomplished the various Iranian proxies will be forced to sink or swim on their own, isolated without coordinated support or outside assistance. Hence, Trump’s reluctance to shift the focus of US assets in the region is very sound. What Trump should do is to act to have the Saudis return to a coordinated military arrangement with their Emerati colleagues, if not also with Israel and Somaliland, but these are probably a bridge which is unlikely to be crossed by MBS, which is why he is facing the Houthis alone at the moment.
Iraq’s confirmation that an attack on Saudi energy infrastructure originated from its territory has raised new questions over the power of Iran-backed militias.
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN | Sept 12, 2026
Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia. Screengrab via Youtube
Iranian-backed militias in Iraq were responsible for an attack on a key oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia. The Iraqi government confirmed on Saturday that the attack came from Iraq’s Maysan province. A local commander has been dismissed, the Rudaw media channel in Iraq said. Iraq has sought to prevent Saudi Arabia from retaliating by admitting the attack came from Iraq.
