Saudi Arabia and the United States have launched joint military strikes targeting Iran-supported militias operating within Iraq, marking a significant intensification of regional hostilities. This coordinated action follows reports from Iran’s Mehr news agency stating that four members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) died during the engagement.
US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed the operations were directed at factions responsible for targeting American personnel and Saudi energy infrastructure. The Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces reported that at least 20 of its fighters were killed during the bombardment of their facilities. These events occurred shortly after Centcom reported a failed Iranian missile attack on US forces in the Middle East, which were intercepted before impact.
In response to these strikes, the IRGC claimed to have attacked a command center and air base in Jordan, while also reporting that naval forces targeted three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump vowed a forceful retaliation to these provocations. Centcom indicated the joint strikes targeted logistics and weaponry across eastern Iraq, following a surge of over 30 drone attacks over three days. Saudi Defence Ministry spokesman Maj-Gen Turki al-Maliki stated that his nation participated in the strikes to defend its territory after drones were launched toward Saudi oil installations.
